November 18, 2025

Big news! AESA’s Global Educators Field Studies aren’t just for ESA leaders and board members anymore — school staff are officially welcome to come along. That’s right — teachers, specialists, and other school staff can now experience this unique professional learning adventure!

Why is this such a big deal? When participants from different roles travel together, the learning multiplies. Everyone brings a unique perspective, sparking dynamic conversations, thoughtful reflection, and ideas that stick. Imagine returning home with not just new insights, but a shared understanding across your school or ESA team — all inspired by international best practices and innovative approaches.

Trip Details for 2026:
Dates: June 15–23, 2026
Destinations: Austria–Hungary or Vietnam–Japan
Cost: $5,200 (includes airfare, lodging, meals, and program fees)
Registration Deadline: December 1, 2025

To streamline registration, school staff and ESA staff register separately. Find full details and registration links for both groups on our webpages.

Austria-Hungary Trip

Vietnam-Japan Trip

Last week, we sent the final issue of Perspectives Journal, marking 30 years of sharing the research, insights, and innovations of AESA members. For three decades, the journal reflected AESA’s mission of collaboration, continuous improvement, and service to schools and students. AESA has decided to discontinue the journal to focus on new ways to highlight member stories. The Perspectives archive will remain available on the AESA website, preserving its legacy.

The final issue features a compelling article by AESA member Dr. Greg Koons, Executive Director at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 (PA), on how ESAs can use Unreasonable Hospitality to transform education—a fitting close to a journal that has always been forward-thinking and member-driven!

This year’s Annual Conference & Expo is in TWO WEEKS and is shaping up to be an incredible event full of learning, networking, and new ideas! 

We’re also excited to announce that our last Expo booth sold last week, so the Expo will be COMPLETELY FULL! Don’t miss this chance to explore all the latest products and services for ESAs.

Haven’t registered yet?

There’s still time! We welcome last-minute attendees—sign up now to secure your spot.

Already registered?

Download the Whova app and create your personal agenda. It’s an easy way to stay organized and helps us ensure breakout sessions are sized just right.

We can’t wait to see you in Colorado Springs!

Photo credit: ECOESC

During the recent government shutdown, the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) showed what it means to serve its community. Staff organized meal kits to ensure families had access to essential food and supplies during a period of uncertainty.

ESCs across Ohio stepped up in similar ways, demonstrating the vital role they play in responding quickly and compassionately when families need support.

“The ECOESC demonstrates servant leadership and continually finds ways to amplify their impact by leveraging community partnerships,” said Dr. Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio ESC Association. “I am so proud and humbled to represent organizations like ECOESC and our statewide network of ESCs.”

ECOESC’s efforts stand as a strong example of how ESCs deliver steady support—even in the most challenging moments.

Last week, Congress passed a deal to reopen the government, ending the longest shutdown in history. The agreement does not provide superintendents with any additional certainty regarding education funding for the 26-27 school year. It merely gives Congress until January 30th to finalize full year appropriations for the remaining FY26 spending bills including education. Find more information.

The Trump administration under Secretary McMahon has indicated a willingness to entertain expanded waivers of certain requirements under ESEA. A handful of states have already begun testing the limits of that potential flexibility. To date, Iowa and Indiana have both submitted waiver requests to the Secretary which are expected to set a precedent for the scope of future waivers granted to other states. Read more about both waivers.

Late last month, the FCC finalized orders (approved just before the shutdown) ending E-Rate eligibility and support for Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots. All Program Year 2025 applications for these services will be cancelled, and districts will receive no E-Rate funding for them. The FCC does not indicate any plan to claw back funds awarded for bus Wi-Fi in Program Year 2024.

Practically, districts that planned to use E-Rate funds for hotspots or bus Wi-Fi in 2025 can no longer do so. Those already under contract must either cover the full cost or cancel the service. Notably, Mission Telecom, a school bus Wi-Fi provider, will allow districts to continue paying only the E-Rate–discounted rate for the rest of this program year, helping them avoid cancellation or termination.

This analysis from The74 shares the results from a series of surveys on the barriers for schools implementing evidence-based strategies to support students. Five years after the height of the pandemic, students are still experiencing its negative impacts. Achievement remains below pre-pandemic levels, absenteeism is still elevated, and well-being — in particular, the mental health of students — continues to be stressed. There has been some progress, but far from what is needed to be able to say: The kids are alright.  

Special education and teacher preparation experts warn that federal efforts to shrink the Education Department put the special educator pipeline at risk. Along with mass layoffs at the federal agency, proposals to consolidate federal grants for training special educators are fueling concerns that these moves will exacerbate critical staffing issues. Read more here. 

YouTube use has risen for babies and toddlers, a recent Pew report found. Most troubling: the impact of ads can be distracting and harmful for development. Read The 74's coverage. 

Building on more than a decade of success with the Hour of Code, the new Hour of AI initiative empowers students and educators worldwide to take their first steps into understanding and creating with artificial intelligence. Through hands-on, easy-to-follow activities, learners can demystify AI and explore its potential for positive impact.

Sheila King and Joan Wade are proud to serve on the TeachAI Advisory Council, supporting this global effort. The Hour of AI Activity Catalog is now live, featuring over 100 engaging activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and learning with AI.