November 3, 2026

In this recording, we'll walk you through professional learning opportunities, networks, member benefits, resources, and services available to you.

NOTE: The commitment deadline for the AESA Global International Experiences has been extended to December 15, 2026. The recording was done before the extension was announced. 

As states prepare to implement the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, what could it mean for public schools, families, and education leaders?

Join AESA’s Tina Villeto and fellow panelists for a Strategic Funding and Finance Center conversation on November 11, from 2:00-3:00 pm ET. The discussion will go beyond policy mechanics to explore questions about access, accountability, partnerships, and the implications for state and local leaders and scholarship-granting organizations.

We’ve extended the deadline to December 15, 2026, for all three AESA Global experiences! With our 8 + 1 promotion, you can register eight paying participants and receive complimentary tuition for one additional person.

That gives you more time to invite colleagues, connect with educators in the districts you serve, and assemble your team for an international learning experience.

Need help assembling a team? Our communications toolkit includes ready-to-customize emails, newsletter copy, and a simple outreach plan to help you invite colleagues at your ESA and educators from the districts you serve.

You can participate individually, travel with
colleagues, or organize a group through your ESA and the districts you serve.

Interested in exploring your ESA's options? Contact either of the following:

Jason Hiruo Chief Global Officer

Meimei Zou Director of Projects

We’re just one month away from the AESA Annual Conference & Expo, December 2-4 in Orlando! With 130+ sessions across six strands, inspiring keynotes, and more than 80 exhibitors, there’s plenty to explore.

Just as valuable? Time with colleagues who understand your work. Compare approaches, talk through ideas, and make connections you can turn to long after the conference ends.

Still need a hotel? The Hilton Orlando is full, but your registration confirmation email and the conference webpage include a list of other nearby hotel options.

Already registered? Start planning your sessions and connecting with colleagues. Still thinking about joining us? There’s time to be part of ESAs in Action!

Since 2007, Southwest West Central Service (SWWC) Cooperative in Minnesota has sponsored one member district superintendent each year to attend the AESA Annual Conference alongside its board and staff, covering registration, lodging, and travel.

The fellowship strengthens connections between SWWC and its member districts while introducing superintendents to ideas and practices from ESAs nationwide. After the conference, fellows are encouraged to share what they learned and offer input on programs and services.

Tim Godfrey, superintendent of Red Rock Central Schools and a 2025 AESA Fellow, shared:

For ESAs planning ahead, SWWC’s approach offers a practical model for investing in district leadership and strengthening member relationships. Read this article to learn how the fellowship works.

This year’s fellow, Holly Ward of Dawson-Boyd Public Schools, will also present a session with the SWWC team at the 2026 Annual Conference & Expo, December 2-4 in Orlando, bringing a district perspective to the national conversation.

Please join us in welcoming CATCH Global Foundation as AESA’s newest institutional member!

CATCH Global Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering school communities to cultivate Whole Child wellness for student success and social equity. The foundation supports educational programs and partners with ESAs nationwide to deliver professional development tailored to regional priorities.

We’re glad to have CATCH Global Foundation in the AESA community!

There’s still time to speak up for the connectivity schools and libraries depend on. Reply comments are open through November 12, giving ESAs and school districts another opportunity to reinforce the case for E-Rate. Submit a reply comment and encourage your member districts to participate. Find the tools and instructions you need at erate.aasa.org.

High-quality instructional materials are only part of the equation. Districts also need support to put them into practice. Rivet Education’s Building Regional Capacity for Curriculum Implementation explores how ESAs help bridge that gap through regional partnerships, local expertise, and sustained support.

With examples of state-ESA collaboration, the report highlights the value of regional capacity in helping districts turn curriculum decisions into classroom practice.

A new report from Funds for Learning finds that the median school district paid $0.67 per Mbps a month for Internet access in FY2026, down 45 percent since FY2022 and 94 percent since FY2015. Read the report here.

A new audit raises questions about the evidence behind AI’s impact on student learning, identifying significant flaws in existing research and finding mixed results in researchers’ efforts to reassess the evidence.

EducationWeek has a look at some of the key state-level questions related to education funding that voters will consider—and for observers to track once results start flooding in tonight.

FutureEd and Attendance Works have released the latest version of their Attendance Playbook, a comprehensive guide to more than 30 actionable, evidence-based strategies for reducing chronic absenteeism and includes an implementation guide for schools and school districts.