Real Voice, Real Impact: Mark Parsons on the EIR Experience
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Pictured l to r: fellow 24-25 EIR participant Ted Hanson, Deputy Executive Director of Programming, Region V BOCES (WY); Dr. John Kurelja, Executive Director, CSIU (PA); Dr. Shileste Overton-Morris, Chief Program Officer and Director of the Center for Schools and Communities, CSIU (PA); Mark Parsons, Director/Field Service Agent – Strategic Leadership, ESC Region 12 (TX)
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AESA is proud to support the next generation of leaders in Educational Service Agencies across the country. One of the most impactful ways we do this is through our Executives in Residence (EIR) program—a year-long, hands-on leadership development experience designed to inspire, challenge, and connect emerging leaders.
Hear from a current participant:
My experience as an EIR this year has been truly exceptional! In addition to the valuable regular zoom sessions and the enriching summer and winter conferences with colleagues and AESA representatives, my recent EIR visit to another service agency was particularly impactful.
My time spent at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) in Milton, PA, with Dr. John Kurelja and his dedicated team, surpassed all my expectations. I was deeply impressed by their entrepreneurial philosophy, strong community partnerships, and unwavering commitment to innovation and service delivery. This visit provided me with invaluable new perspectives that I am eager to bring back to my own agency and share with my colleagues.
I wholeheartedly recommend the EIR opportunity to anyone seeking to further develop their leadership skills and foster professional growth within their own journey.
-Mark Parsons, Director/Field Service Agent – Strategic Leadership, ESC Region 12 (TX)
Applications for the 2025–2026 cohort are due May 1, 2025. A link for the AESA Foundation scholarship is included on the application form. If you're ready to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply!
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Help Make the 2025 Annual Conference & Expo the Best Yet!
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We’re already seeing some fantastic proposal submissions for the 2025 AESA Annual Conference & Expo—but we’re not done yet! We’d love to hear from more of our members, especially from states that haven’t been as involved in the past. Your voice and perspective matter! The deadline has been extended to April 28, 2025!
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If you're already planning to present and have something powerful you believe all AESA members should see or experience firsthand, consider joining us as an exhibitor! Many ESAs choose to do both, and it's a great way to deepen your impact at the conference. Benefit from a reduced reservation rate available through October 1, 2025.
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2025-26 Leadership Academy
For existing ESA CEOs with the opportunity for international travel.
Application deadline has been extended to April 30, 2025
*Scholarship available through the AESA Foundation!
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Business Strategy Framework 2.0: Managing Strategic Resources, originally scheduled for April 22-23, 2025, has been postponed until Fall 2025.
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ED Issues New DEI Directive for States
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Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education issued a new directive requiring every state education agency (SEA) to certify within 10 days that they are complying with federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA). The certification does not demand the end of DEI efforts, but instead reiterates the need to ensure those efforts are lawful under Title VI and to cease “illegal DEI practices.” As of April 7, the Department is now giving States until 4/24 to certify state’s compliance with Title VI. Read more.
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Overview of Recent Federal Advocacy from EdCounsel
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Read the EducationCounsel Alert for April 7, 2025. This includes updates about various recent Trump Administration executive actions relevant to education, including:
- Supreme Court Issues Interim Ruling in Teacher Prep Grants Case
- USED Requires New SEA/LEA Title VI Certification
- USED Issues Dear Colleague Letter about FERPA and Students’ Gender Identity Information
- USED Cancels Earlier Approval for ESSER Late Liquidation Approval
- USED Issues Guidance on Using Title I Funds to Expand Choice
- USED Initiates Process for Higher Education Rulemaking
- HHS Reduction in Force Affects Early Childhood
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New LPI Fact Sheet, How Money Matters: Education Funding and Student Outcomes
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This fact sheet details how a large and growing body of evidence shows that money, when spent equitably and effectively on key school resources, improves student outcomes – especially for the students furthest from opportunity – and closes achievement and opportunity gaps.
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Resources Mapping Funding Levels by Congressional District
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Happy to share two resources that analyze federal funding level by Congressional district, which can be helpful in meetings and conversations, highlighting just how much is at stake for constituents of each member of Congress.
- NEA has created an online tool that lets you see federal education funding for each congressional district and state. The NEA’s “How much funding does my public school get from the federal government?” provides a total for each state or congressional district, and shows funding for several big programs, including Title I, special education, school meals, after-school programs, rural schools, Impact Aid, career-connected learning, and teacher preparation, among others.
- The National Association for Independent Colleges and Universities’ student aid data sheets that show federal student aid by district and state.
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Discover the EdVantage: A Weekly Podcast with David Young
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Each week, we'll spotlight a podcast that highlights the voices and insights of our members. Check out AESA’s curated list of ESA podcasts. Is yours missing? Contact Claire Sowder to add it.
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Hosted by David Young, CEO of the Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative, this podcast dives into the heart of what makes schools, systems, and leaders thrive. From mastering effective classroom observations to navigating student behavior or leveraging artificial intelligence in school administration, EdVantage brings you timely conversations packed with practical takeaways.
But this isn’t just for educators—David often draws insightful parallels between education and entrepreneurship, business leadership, and beyond, making each episode relevant to anyone committed to impact and innovation.
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