Insights from Sara Kloek of SIIA
With over 30 years of education communications experience, our agency has seen plenty of federal education policy fluctuations. But the pace of change in recent months has been extraordinary. As someone who works with education companies to build effective marketing strategies, I’ve seen firsthand how rapidly evolving policy can dramatically impact the industry landscape. That’s why I was particularly grateful to hear from Sara Kloek, Vice President of Education and Children’s Policy at the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), during our recent client-exclusive CB&A Expert Series webinar, “Education Communications in a Time of Policy Disruption.”
The First 100 Days: A Policy Earthquake
As Sara explained during our discussion, the education policy landscape has undergone seismic shifts in just the first 100 days of the new administration. Some of the most consequential changes include:
- Department of Education transformation: A significant reduction in force has effectively cut the department’s staff by half, including the closure of the Office of Educational Technology. The administration has also issued an executive order to begin facilitating the eventual closure of the Department, though Sara emphasized this would ultimately require action by Congress.
- Retirement of guidance documents: Several guidance documents have been retired or will no longer be enforced, particularly AI guidance documents released during the previous administration. Education companies using these documents for internal guidance should note they are no longer in effect.
- Renewed focus on parent rights: The administration is emphasizing parental rights through the Privacy Office at the Department of Education, reminding schools of their obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Sara noted this could mean increased enforcement actions related to FERPA compliance.
- AI priorities shifting: Despite retiring previous guidance, the administration has prioritized AI development and implementation, particularly around AI literacy for students. Sara highlighted that discretionary grants from the Department of Education may increasingly require AI components.
- Workforce training emphasis: There’s renewed interest in amplifying workforce training initiatives, particularly for K-12 students approaching graduation. Companies offering solutions in this space may find new opportunities.
What struck me about Sara’s analysis was her careful distinction between the rapid flow of information and the actual, substantive policy changes. As she noted, “I always like to remind people that it’s really important to take a pause and make sure that the information that you’re taking in is actual information and is the policy that is being set forth.”
Navigating Communication in a Polarized Environment
One of the most valuable aspects of Sara’s insight was her perspective on how education companies should communicate in this new policy environment. The reality is that schools and districts face increasing scrutiny from parents, community members and school boards about their purchasing decisions.
According to recent research from EdWeek Market Brief, about a third of school and district leaders expect school board involvement in purchasing decisions to increase over the next five years. This means education companies need to be prepared to make their case not just to traditional decision-makers, but to a broader range of stakeholders who may bring different priorities and concerns to the table.
As Sara emphasized, “The edtech industry strongly supports efforts to expand opportunities for students to learn and access information, and to help ensure protection of student privacy within the walls of the classroom and when learning remotely.” This balance between innovation and privacy remains at the heart of education policy discussions, regardless of which administration is in power.
Privacy: The Perennial Priority
There’s one policy area that never fades from importance: student data privacy. Sara has been a leading voice, having previously served as a Senior Privacy and Technology Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education before joining SIIA.
While discussing the current privacy landscape, Sara emphasized that several significant federal bills are under consideration that could dramatically reshape how education companies handle student data:
- The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)
- Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0)
- American Privacy Rights Act (APRA)
What makes these bills so consequential is that they weren’t necessarily designed with educational technology in mind. Language that works well for regulating social media platforms might have unintended consequences when applied to learning management systems or assessment tools.
AI in Education: The New Frontier
During the webinar, Sara explained how the new administration has prioritized AI development and implementation, particularly around AI literacy for American youth. She noted that discretionary grants from the Department of Education may increasingly require AI components, which aligns with SIIA’s work to provide guidance for thoughtful AI implementation in education.
What This Means for Education Companies
As trusted experts in education communications, we need to help our clients navigate this complex policy environment. Based on Sara’s insights, CB&A has developed an overview of where we are, what’s notable, and what to do.
The education policy landscape will continue to evolve. By partnering with experts like Sara Kloek, who provides keen analysis and guidance, we can help education companies turn policy challenges into opportunities to demonstrate leadership and build trust with educators.
As Sara concluded during the webinar, “We’re here as well to help the education industry navigate all of these changing policies.” That commitment to supporting the industry through uncertain times is exactly what education companies need right now.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into education communications as it relates to these policy issues, I’d be happy to share more insights from our recent webinar featuring Sara Kloek.