Distributed via email: September 26, 2025
On September 9, Illinois school board advocates met with 13 Illinois Representatives and both Illinois Senators to share their stories. In each meeting, IASB was met with support and gratitude for school board members’ work and shared passion for their students. Don’t miss the opportunity to join IASB next year at the COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference, September 21-23, 2026.
Continuing Resolution for FY2026
In the absence of completed Appropriations bills, Congress shifted to working on a Continuing Resolution (CR), a temporary measure that funds the government for a specified time. On September 19, the House of Representatives passed a CR funding governmental programs until November 21. The Senate, however, failed to pass either the House bill or a competing version sponsored by Senate Democrats. The House has recessed until the conclusion of its district work period on October 7. The Senate will return September 29 to attempt to pass a CR before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
Without action, the government will shut down October 1. Of note, four of the largest federal education programs, including Title I, Title II, IDEA, and Career and Technical Education State Grants, receive advance funding from prior year appropriations measures which begins October 1. In previous government shutdowns, the Department of Education directed staff to release these funds. If the government shuts down, it is unclear if that same directive would be given, and if this funding will be released. In addition, the Administration has threatened mass layoffs at federal departments in the event of a shutdown, with uncertain impact on ongoing federal programs.
On September 15, the Department announced substantial increases in funding for the American History and Civics Education program, Charter School Program, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. The increases are financed by reprogramming funds slated for the Supporting Effective Educators Development program, Teacher and School Leader Incentive program, Minority-Serving Institutions grant programs, International and Foreign Language Education programs, Teacher Quality Partnership grants program, Ready to Learn Programming, Statewide Family Engagement Centers Program, Magnet Schools Assistance Program, Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, and the Assistance for Arts Education Program. The ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee have written a letter to the Department urging them to reconsider these actions.
On Constitution Day (September 17), the Department also announced the launch of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, characterizing the new group as building on the Trump Administration’s commitment to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in July of 2026.
U.S. Department of Education(Opens in a new window)
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions(Opens in a new window)
U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor(Opens in a new window)
U.S. Senate Budget Committee(Opens in a new window)
U.S. House Budget Committee(Opens in a new window)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)(Opens in a new window)
Federal Legislative Information
COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference
Earlier this month, 17 IASB school board members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. for the COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference. After a day of briefings on September 8, featuring a variety of speakers including Congressional staff members and journalist Bob Woodward, IASB provided an additional workshop for Illinois attendees. Led by an executive speaking coach, the workshop highlighted how to tell the stories of their districts’ students and the importance of federal funding in helping their students succeed.On September 9, Illinois school board advocates met with 13 Illinois Representatives and both Illinois Senators to share their stories. In each meeting, IASB was met with support and gratitude for school board members’ work and shared passion for their students. Don’t miss the opportunity to join IASB next year at the COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference, September 21-23, 2026.
FY2026 Federal Education Funding (2026-2027 school year)
On September 9, the House Appropriations Committee adopted education funding legislation for FY2026 that significantly reduces Title I funding for low-income students. The legislation also eliminates Title II funding for teacher training, along with funds for English language acquisition, community schools, state assessment, and many other programs. The bill’s 15% reduction in federal education funding is a contrast to the Senate reported bill with stable funding for education. Neither version has passed its respective Congressional chamber and Appropriations Committee members will work to reconcile the differences between the two versions.Continuing Resolution for FY2026
In the absence of completed Appropriations bills, Congress shifted to working on a Continuing Resolution (CR), a temporary measure that funds the government for a specified time. On September 19, the House of Representatives passed a CR funding governmental programs until November 21. The Senate, however, failed to pass either the House bill or a competing version sponsored by Senate Democrats. The House has recessed until the conclusion of its district work period on October 7. The Senate will return September 29 to attempt to pass a CR before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
Without action, the government will shut down October 1. Of note, four of the largest federal education programs, including Title I, Title II, IDEA, and Career and Technical Education State Grants, receive advance funding from prior year appropriations measures which begins October 1. In previous government shutdowns, the Department of Education directed staff to release these funds. If the government shuts down, it is unclear if that same directive would be given, and if this funding will be released. In addition, the Administration has threatened mass layoffs at federal departments in the event of a shutdown, with uncertain impact on ongoing federal programs.
Department of Education Actions
The Department of Education continues eliminating and reducing funding for programs contained in the previous year’s CR to support new Department of Education funding priorities. These actions are unprecedented, but allowable, because a CR does not include an explanatory statement to provide instructions to federal departments with funding levels for each program.On September 15, the Department announced substantial increases in funding for the American History and Civics Education program, Charter School Program, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. The increases are financed by reprogramming funds slated for the Supporting Effective Educators Development program, Teacher and School Leader Incentive program, Minority-Serving Institutions grant programs, International and Foreign Language Education programs, Teacher Quality Partnership grants program, Ready to Learn Programming, Statewide Family Engagement Centers Program, Magnet Schools Assistance Program, Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, and the Assistance for Arts Education Program. The ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee have written a letter to the Department urging them to reconsider these actions.
On Constitution Day (September 17), the Department also announced the launch of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, characterizing the new group as building on the Trump Administration’s commitment to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in July of 2026.
National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Scores
On September 9, 12th grade ELA and Math NAEP scores were released. Grade 12 scores are released every four years. Unfortunately, these scores were the lowest ever recorded, showing a decline for all students except those at the 90th percentile. Declines in NAEP scores began well before the pandemic and are driven by sharper declines by our nation’s lowest scoring students. These concerning declines are precisely why funds for assessment, accountability, and evidence-based research on student achievement are so sorely needed, arguments our IASB Federal Advocacy Conference attendees made in their meetings with legislators.Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee
On September 18, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing, “The State of K-12 Education.” Witnesses testified about the sharp declines in NAEP scores beginning in 2013, which coincided with a lessening of rigorous standards and accountability, along with other factors such as the advent of cell phones, and increased student disengagement and absenteeism. Witnesses contrasted the NAEP scores from the late 1990s and early 2000s, where the increases in student achievement were driven by the growth and improvement of the lowest scoring students due to bipartisan efforts to establish rigorous standards, assessment, and accountability for student performance. Testimony was also given regarding the impact of AI, cell phones, social media, and performance-based incentives in teacher contracts.IASB Webinar: New Standards for Student Proficiency
Concerned about our nation’s declining NAEP scores? Join IASB on October 16 at noon for New Standards for Student Proficiency: What Board Members Should Know. The webinar will explain new student proficiency changes and their impact on school and district accountability for student performance. Learn how the Illinois proficiency cut score changes will impact your district's 2025 State Report Card data. The webinar will cover the changes, offer guidance for monitoring student progress during the transition, and highlight key questions for board members.Links
2025 House Calendar(Opens in a new window)U.S. Department of Education(Opens in a new window)
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions(Opens in a new window)
U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor(Opens in a new window)
U.S. Senate Budget Committee(Opens in a new window)
U.S. House Budget Committee(Opens in a new window)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)(Opens in a new window)
Federal Legislative Information