You’ve seen what E-Rate delivers for schools in your community. Now it’s time to put those numbers to work.
With the FCC moving forward on changes that could affect the future of E-Rate, education leaders can help make sure policymakers understand what’s at stake.
Find your local number. Share your story. Make your voice heard.
See your community’s E-Rate investment →
Tell Congress: Protect E-Rate →
Join Us TOMORROW
There’s a lot happening in Washington. Join AESA Wednesday, August 19, at 3:00 pm Eastern for a free Federal Advocacy Update with Senior Government Affairs Manager Tara Thomas.
Get the latest from Washington, what it means for ESAs, and the federal policy and advocacy issues to keep on your radar in the weeks ahead.
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CEOs and Board Members: Orientation Day Is This Thursday!
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Whether you’re new to AESA or have been involved for years, AESA Orientation Day this Thursday, August 20 at 2:00-3:00 pm ET, is a great opportunity to make sure you’re taking full advantage of your membership.
Join Dr. Joan Wade, AESA Executive Director, for a virtual orientation designed specifically for CEOs and board members. You’ll get an overview of AESA benefits and resources, including federal advocacy, leadership development, governance resources, networking, conferences, publications, and strategic initiatives.
You’ll also learn simple ways to help your staff and fellow board members get connected and make the most of their AESA membership.
The session is complimentary for AESA members.
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Can’t make it this Thursday?
More orientation opportunities are coming soon!
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Learn Something New—Without Leaving Your Desk
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AESA membership connects you with timely professional learning, knowledgeable presenters, and practical ideas you can put to work.
These two upcoming webinars are free for AESA members and feature expertise from AESA partners.
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How much time are students spending on school-issued devices, and how can districts use that information to make better decisions?
Join AESA Business Partner Lightspeed Systems and education leaders to explore how districts are using data to understand screen time, identify the apps driving usage, track trends, compare benchmarks, and communicate findings with families.
What you’ll take away: Actionable ideas for using screen-time data to inform policy, support student well-being, and strengthen conversations with families.
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Educational technology, assistive technology, accessibility, and AI-enabled tools are increasingly interconnected. ESAs can help districts bring these efforts together.
Join AESA Collaborating Partner, the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), to explore practical strategies for building cohesive, inclusive technology ecosystems that improve access, participation, and outcomes for all learners.
What you’ll take away: Practical resources, tools, and examples to help district teams create more coordinated, accessible, and inclusive technology systems.
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A Closer Look: Business Officials & Human Resources Network
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Throughout the coming weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at each of AESA's professional learning networks launching this fall. Discover what makes each network unique, meet the facilitators, and find the community that's right for you.
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Finance and HR leaders face complex challenges every day, from budgeting and compliance to recruiting and retaining great employees. You don’t have to solve them alone.
AESA’s Business Officials & Human Resources Network connects you with ESA colleagues across the country who understand your work and can help you find practical solutions.
Through this national network, you’ll:
- Learn what’s working at other ESAs
- Discuss real-world finance and HR challenges
- Gain practical ideas and resources
- Build relationships with peers you can turn to throughout the year
Meet the facilitator:
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Olga Simoes, AESA Chief Financial Officer, brings extensive financial leadership experience and a strong commitment to connecting finance, human resources, and operational strategy. She works with ESA leaders to strengthen operations and encourage collaboration that supports organizational success.
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You do not have to solve your agency’s toughest business and HR challenges by yourself. Connect with colleagues who understand the work, learn what is working at other ESAs, and bring new strategies back to your organization. The first meeting is Wednesday, September 9.
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Save Your Spot at AESA’s Remaining 2026 Conferences
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The school year is starting, calendars are filling up, and we don’t want you to get so busy that you miss out on AESA’s remaining 2026 conferences!
For both conferences, register for the conference first. Hotel reservation information will be included in your registration confirmation email.
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Join AESA in the nation’s capital to connect with colleagues and advocate for the issues that matter to educational service agencies and the communities they serve.
Act soon: The deadline to secure your hotel room is August 25, just ONE WEEK from today!
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End the year with AESA colleagues from across the country at our biggest gathering of the year. Come ready to learn, connect, and discover ideas you can take back to your agency.
Learn from Peers
Choose from 130+ breakout sessions featuring innovative practices and real-world solutions from ESAs across the nation.
Build Connections
Network with ESA colleagues, international education leaders, and AESA Global partners.
Explore New Solutions
Meet 80+ exhibitors showcasing products, services, and technologies designed for education.
There’s a lot waiting for you in Orlando. Register by September 30 to take advantage of the early bird rate!
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FY27 Appropriations Update
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When Congress returns from its August recess, lawmakers will have roughly 15 legislative days to fund the federal government before Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 begins on October 1. Before leaving Washington, both chambers passed their own versions of a continuing resolution (CR) that would maintain government funding at FY26 levels until after the November election. The House bill, passed July 21, would extend funding through December 4 but does not include several technical provisions, known as anomalies, that are typically needed in a CR. The Senate version, passed August 8, would extend funding through December 11, includes those anomalies, and temporarily prevents the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing its controversial revisions to the Uniform Grant Guidance for the duration of the CR. Read more.
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HHS Releases Proposed Rule to Rewrite Head Start Standards
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On August 8, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed rule that amends the Head Start Program Performance Standards to streamline the program, provide greater flexibility and allow for more state and local control. The proposed rule represents the most substantial set of regulatory changes to the program’s governing rules since its inception 61 years ago. Read more.
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NEW: CISA Releases New Cybersecurity Resources for K12 Schools and Districts
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Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released new cybersecurity resources to help schools strengthen their defenses. To support the work, CISA has released K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package, designed specifically for schools and districts. The collection includes guides, videos, and supplemental materials that provide cost-effective, actionable steps for preventing, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats.
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Help with National Study of Special Education Spending
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The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is conducting the National Study of Special Education Spending to provide up-to-date national information about the cost of providing special education and the sources of funding used to pay for these services. The NSSES will provide the first comprehensive national estimates of special education spending and funding in more than two decades. The NSSES will be conducted during the 2026-27 school year. To learn more about the NSSES and how states, districts, and schools can participate, please visit the NSSES webpage. You can also contact the study team with questions by email at nsses@air.org.
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Correspondence Address:
PO Box 404, Cheshire, CT 06410
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Remittance Address:
Department 3990, PO Box 986500
Boston, MA 02298-6500
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