AESA Members Gather for Advocacy in Action Conference in Washington, D.C.
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Last week, AESA members from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Advocacy in Action Conference. In addition to the main conference, the AESA Executive Council, Leadership Academy, and Executives in Residence groups met in the nation's capital. One key highlight was the opportunity for the Executive Council and Leadership Academy members to meet with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to discuss the Universal Service Fund and E-Rate.
Before the conference officially kicked off, we held a Pre-Conference focused on state-level advocacy, providing valuable insights for attendees working on behalf of ESAs at the local level.
The first official day began with the Legislative Breakfast, where Radha Seker, CEO of USAC was awarded the Congressional Service Award for her leadership with the USF and more specifically E-Rate. Breakfast was followed by informative sessions on critical topics like E-Rate, student privacy and online safety proposals, and federal early childhood policies. USF was recently found to be unconstitutional by the 5th circuit court (which covers Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana). Attendees were encouraged to talk to their congressional delegation about the importance of E-Rate and the funding crisis that would occur should the 5th Circuit Court decision stand.
In addition to these important meetings on Capitol Hill, the conference provided a comprehensive learning agenda. Attendees explored topics such as updates from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), the intersection of mental health and Medicaid, federal regulatory changes affecting education, and the role of education in shaping the 2024 elections.
We were also excited to unveil AESA's new Advocacy Toolkit. This essential guide offers targeted strategies to help ESAs navigate the complex world of education policy and funding, recognizing the unique role of educational service agencies.
Attendees, please take the survey sent to your email so we can continue to improve our conference offerings. We'd also love to see any photos of your time in DC. Please post photos with #AESAadvocacy or send them to Claire Sowder.
Quite a lot to cover, but so rewarding to connect and learn! Mark your calendars for the 2025 Advocacy in Action Conference, which will take place on September 17-19, 2025.
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Radha Sekar Honored with 2024 AESA Congressional Service Award
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At last week’s Advocacy in Action Conference, we had the pleasure of presenting Radha Sekar, Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), with the 2024 AESA Congressional Service Award. This distinguished award honors leaders who have made a lasting impact on federal education policy and have championed the mission of ESAs across the country.
Since stepping into her role at USAC in 2018, Radha has been a driving force behind programs that are making a real difference in closing the digital divide for unserved and underserved communities. Her leadership has not only strengthened the FCC’s Universal Service Fund programs but also ensured vital support reaches schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and rural communities across the country. Radha’s work is deeply aligned with our mission, and we are grateful for her dedication to bridging the gaps that impact so many. For more information, read the press release.
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September 2024 State Examiner Now Available
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This month’s report for September 2024 examines school vouchers and related private school choice legislation. It also stresses the importance of personal stories and narratives to help make advocacy efforts more relatable, memorable, and ultimately, more effective.
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Calling All AESA Champions!
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Registrations are ramping up for the highly anticipated 2024 AESA Annual Conference, happening December 4-6! Don’t miss out on an incredible lineup of keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions covering emerging issues, and fantastic networking opportunities with your fellow ESA colleagues.
Early bird registration ends on October 18, 2024! Secure your spot now to lock in early bird pricing and ensure you're part of one of the year's most anticipated events.
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Experiment, Price, and Innovate with Confidence (EPIC) Workshop
STARTS TOMORROW, October 2-3, 2024 | Green Bay, Wisconsin
Business Strategy Framework 1.0
October 28-29, 2024 | Johnston, Iowa
Business Strategy Framework 2.0: Managing Strategic Resources
(Pre-Conference to AESA Annual Conference)
December 2-3, 2024 | Orlando, Florida
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New OCR Resources for Districts to Support Students with Mental Health Disabilities
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Last week, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released four new resources for districts to support students with mental health disabilities such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and bipolar disorder. The fact sheets remind schools of the obligation to treat a student with a mental health disability as they must treat any other student with a disability: free from discrimination, and the obligation to provide students with mental health disabilities with the modifications, supports, and services the students need to have equal access to their education.
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CISA Announces New K-12 School Security Guide for School Business Officials
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Biden-Harris Admin Announce Additional Actions to Reduce Gun Violence and Protect Students
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The U.S. Department of Education is providing schools, school boards, and policymakers with a new tool to promote safe gun storage in their communities. Following up on its initial safe storage actions, the Department of Education is publishing an interactive website that highlights examples of state, community, and school district actions across the nation that promote safe gun storage within school communities. The website includes a map with state safe storage laws, examples of how schools are communicating with parents about safe storage, and examples of local policies on safe storage education.
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Congress Clears December Spending Patch, Avoiding Pre-election Shutdown
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In Congress’ last action before Election Day, the Senate cleared a stopgap funding bill last Wednesday night that heads off a government shutdown this week, delaying the government shutdown deadline to December 20.
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K–12 Leaders Need Access to Data
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The newest resource from the Data Quality Campaign examines what becomes possible when state data systems are designed to connect school and district leaders to the information they need.
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Learning Systems: Shaping Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Education
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Shaping Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Education: Advancements in generative artificial intelligence have prompted both excitement and concern in the education sector. AI offers a wide range of uses in education, from streamlining administrative tasks to providing personalized academic support for students to reimagining school staffing models. But leaders must carefully balance potential benefits with the inherent risks of such a new and rapidly changing technology. Bellwether's new three-part resource series helps leaders and policymakers take a comprehensive approach to incorporating AI in schools.
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Welcoming New AESA Member
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We are excited to welcome the Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education #39 to the AESA membership! The ROE is based in Decatur, IL and led by Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent of Schools. We look forward to the valuable contributions they will bring to our network of educational service agencies. Welcome aboard!
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Have we missed one of your ESA’s stories? Send submissions to csowder@aesa.us to be included in future editions of Online News.
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Introducing Daisy Solutions: They're Interested in Learning More About YOU!
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AESA is pleased to introduce our new business partner, Daisy Solutions! They offer AESA members comprehensive, turnkey services for renewable energy and efficiency solutions, including solar power, EV charging stations, and battery storage. As school districts across the nation shift towards clean energy to power their schools and transportation fleets, Daisy Solutions is here to help facilitate a smooth transition.
To gauge your interest in these services, Daisy Solutions invites you to complete a short survey, with results to be shared at the AESA Annual Conference in December.
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore how Daisy Solutions can support your renewable energy goals and benefit the districts you serve.
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