Published in the May 2026 issue of the ISHA Voice.
By Maureen Marrandino and Karen Kockler, ASHA SEALs for Illinois
ASHA State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) from across the country gathered virtually on April 13, 2026, for their monthly meeting to discuss federal policy developments, advocacy priorities, and emerging regional concerns impacting school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and educational audiologists. The meeting was coordinated by Eileen K. Crowe, ASHA’s Director of State Education Affairs, and featured updates from Eric Masten, Director of Federal Affairs, and Bill Knudsen, Director of Education Policy.
Federal Policy Updates Highlight Key Changes
Mr. Knudsen opened the session with an overview of current federal regulatory activity affecting K–12 education. He addressed evolving enforcement of Title VI and Title IX under new definitions, as well as recent changes to federal student aid processes. He also highlighted ASHA’s advocacy work, including contributions to the national study of special education spending and input on the federal technical assistance network.
Workforce development remains a central focus, with ongoing partnerships involving organized labor and early discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in education settings.
Advocacy Efforts Show Progress
On the advocacy front, Mr. Knudsen shared encouraging news that the speech-language pathology profession has received a positive review for continued accreditation for an additional five years, pending final approval from the U.S. Secretary of Education this summer.
Mr. Masten provided updates on federal legislative efforts, including advocacy to revise professional degree loan limits and improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. He also noted that Congress has rejected proposed consolidations to IDEA funding in the current federal budget, preserving existing funding structures.
Regional Discussions Surface Shared Challenges
Following the federal updates, SEALs broke into regional groups to discuss the impact of U.S. Department of Education changes, identify needed federal guidance, and consider priorities for future IDEA reauthorization.
Across regions, several common themes emerged:
- Midwest Region: Concerns centered on funding constraints, Medicaid billing requirements, and caseload caps. Participants emphasized the need for clearer federal guidance on workload and caseload standards.
- Western Region: Members reported minimal immediate impact from federal structural changes but expressed interest in more consistent eligibility criteria and stronger interstate compact alignment.
- Northern Region: States are advancing proactive strategies, including workforce initiatives and updates to certification requirements. Pennsylvania’s “Attract, Prepare, and Retain” initiative was highlighted as a model for addressing workforce shortages.
- Southern Region: Participants noted declining funding and ongoing workload challenges, with limited direct impact from federal changes observed at the district level.
Looking Ahead
As federal and state landscapes continue to evolve, SEALs remain engaged in advocating for policies that support the profession and the students and communities they serve.
A SEAL meeting was held on Monday, May 11, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns you’d like us to share with ASHA, please send them to kkockler1975@gmail.com.