Applications Open: 2026–27 AESA Leadership Academy (Eligibility Expanded)
|
Applications are now open for the 2026–27 AESA Leadership Academy, a yearlong, cohort‑based experience for senior ESA leaders ready to strengthen their leadership practice and shape the future of regional education.
New for the 2026–27 Cohort!
In addition to ESA Executive Directors and CEOs, cabinet‑level ESA administrators are now invited to apply. This expansion reflects AESA’s commitment to supporting strong, aligned executive leadership teams and preparing leaders across the organization to navigate the future of regional educational systems.
The Academy brings together senior ESA leaders for a blend of in‑person convenings, virtual sessions, and an immersive international field study to Hungary in April 2027. Participants engage in real‑world problem‑of‑practice work, deepen cultural intelligence, and build a trusted national peer network.
The cohort begins in July 2026 alongside the AESA Summer Leadership Conference and continues through spring 2027.
The application deadline is April 30, 2026.
|
Curious About Global Coordinator Training? Ask Jason!
|
Join Jason Hiruo, AESA Chief Global Officer, for an interactive “Ask Jason” webinar where you can get your questions answered and learn more about what the program offers.
First session: March 31 at 2:00 pm ET
Come ready with your questions and discover how this program can support your global education initiatives.
|
Your Next Adventure Starts with a Bid
|
Our online auction is filled with unforgettable travel experiences, and every bid brings you one step closer to your next great adventure. Even better—every bid directly supports the AESA Foundation, helping advance impactful work across educational service agencies nationwide.
|
African Photo Safari Adventure (6 nights for 2)
Step into the wild with guided game drives, luxury accommodations, and unforgettable moments in one of Africa’s most diverse conservation regions.
|
Luck of the Irish (7 nights, up to 6 guests)
Gather your family or friends and explore Ireland’s rolling green hills, historic castles, and vibrant culture—your choice of Dublin or County Cork.
|
Gems of Europe (7 nights, up to 6 guests)
Design your dream getaway with options in Ireland, Tuscany, or Spain. From wine tasting to coastal escapes, the choice is yours.
|
Edinburgh Escape (5 nights for 2)
Discover Scotland’s rich history and charm with a stay in the heart of Edinburgh and a guided castle experience.
|
Costa Rica Getaway (5 nights for 2)
Adventure meets relaxation with ziplining, hot springs, waterfalls, and lush rainforest experiences in the heart of “Pura Vida.”
|
Gateway to the Bavarian Alps (5 nights for 2)
Experience Munich’s vibrant culture, from lively beer halls to historic squares, plus a storybook day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace in the breathtaking Bavarian Alps.
|
Nice, France – The Gem of the French Riviera (3 nights for 2)
Soak in Mediterranean beauty with a stay along the iconic Promenade des Anglais and a full-day tour to Èze and Monaco—where seaside charm meets timeless glamour.
|
Explore the U.S. (7 nights, up to 6 guests)
Choose your perfect domestic getaway—Orlando, Colorado, North Carolina, or Lake Tahoe—each offering unforgettable experiences for families and adventurers alike.
|
Sedona, Arizona (7 nights, up to 4 guests)
Discover the magic of red rock landscapes, peaceful desert energy, and endless opportunities for hiking, relaxation, and exploration.
|
Why place a bid?
Because every bid is more than just a number—it’s a chance to create lasting memories and make a meaningful impact. All proceeds directly support the important work of the AESA Foundation, helping advance initiatives that benefit the ESA community nationwide.
Ready to get started?
Getting started is easy—just create a login to join the fun. (If you registered for our winter auction, you’re already all set!)
Bidding will close March 31, 2026, at 7:00 pm ET.
|
We Need Your Breakout Proposals!
|
AESA is now accepting breakout session proposals for two of our signature 2026 events—and we invite you to help shape the conversations that matter most to educational service agency leaders across the country.
|
2026 Summer Leadership Conference
July 14–16, 2026 | Riverside, CA
A focused gathering of ESA executives and senior staff centered on leadership, collaboration, and system-level impact. Breakout sessions should offer practical strategies, innovative approaches, and real-world insights aligned to current ESA challenges and opportunities.
Strands:
- Leading Coherent Systems
- High-Impact Learning & Support Systems
- Sustainable Systems & Stewardship
- ESAs as Connectors & Community Catalysts
Breakout proposals due: March 31, 2026
Registration is OPEN for this conference!
|
2026 AESA Annual Conference & Expo
December 2–4, 2026 | Orlando, FL
AESA’s largest annual event, bringing together leaders, practitioners, and partners for learning, networking, and innovation. Breakout sessions highlight scalable solutions, promising practices, and forward-thinking approaches that strengthen ESAs nationwide.
Strands:
- Leadership in Action
- Innovation & Technology
- Entrepreneurship & Sustainability
- Student-Centered Solutions
- Governance / ESA Board
- Administrative Excellence (NEW)
Breakout proposals due: April 30, 2026
|
Education for Association of State Executives (EASE)
Dr. Pam Deering solicited ASE feedback on things you would like from the associations. One of the topic areas was related to contracts, job descriptions, and evaluations. In response, there will be an interactive virtual session to provide an opportunity for state association leaders to learn from each other. This session will focus on executive director contracts, job descriptions and evaluations. The webinar will be Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11:30 am (PT). Click HERE to register.
Flexibility Unlocked: Demystifying Schoolwide Fund Consolidation
Recent federal guidance has reignited interest in schoolwide consolidation of funds—but if the approach is so flexible, why are only about 6% of districts using it? The reality is that consolidation can feel complex, with initial administrative and compliance hurdles. Yet districts that implement consolidation often find it simplifies programming and expands allowable uses of federal funds. This one-hour session will break down the statutory and regulatory framework for schoolwide fund consolidation, clarify what flexibility districts actually gain, and outline practical steps to determine whether consolidation is right for your district. Join us Tuesday, April 7 from 12:00-1:00 pm (ET) and register here!
Building and Strengthening 501(c)(3)s to Leverage Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Opportunities
As districts explore ways to expand student support and access new funding streams, many are considering the creation of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit—or the revitalization of an existing or dormant one. This Joint Webinar Series by AASA and the National Association of Education Foundations will provide practical, step-by-step guidance on how to do so effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with district and community priorities. Join us Thursday, April 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET and register here!
|
House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Plyler
|
AESA joined more than 110 organizations on a statement for the record, underscoring the necessity to ensure all children have access to a high quality public education and outlining the benefits of Plyler – on immigrant children and beyond. Read the full letter here.
|
Holding Kids Back in 3rd Grade Can Raise Test Scores — but a New Study Shows a Long-Run Cost
|
Using Texas as a case study, researchers found that despite initial test score gains, retained third grade students are far less likely to graduate high school or achieve strong earnings as young adults, directly complicating the evidence posed by other states adopting retention policies.
|
Pandemic-era Infants, Toddlers Exhibit Elementary Learning Lag
|
New NWEA research finds that K-2 students who were infants during the pandemic are showing academic lags similar to older students, suggesting the pandemic’s effects extend beyond those who were already in school at the time.
|
The 90/10 Gap: Research Shows Struggling Students Falling Behind Since 2005
|
A Brown University Annenberg Institute paper finds that achievement gaps between high- and low-performing students have widened substantially over the last twenty years with the fastest growth in public schools, based on an analysis of NAEP scores.
|
Southern States Boost Early Reading, but Gains Stall in Middle School
|
The Hechinger Report examines the “Mississippi Miracle,” finding that while the state’s efforts initially boosted early reading scores, the academic gains have not held as students get older. The article also offers suggestions for improving literacy instruction as more states look to replicate Mississippi’s approach.
|
42 States Allot Smaller Portion of Funds to K-12 Compared to 20 years Ago, Report Says
|
A new Albert Shanker Institute study finds that nearly $600 billion in state and local funds was lost between 2016 and 2023 alone, with Black students twice as likely as their white peers to attend inadequately-funded districts.
|
AI Job Losses: Look Up Which Workers are Most Vulnerable
|
Researchers from GovAI and Brookings helped create a tool that lets users assess different professions’ relative vulnerability to AI displacement and likelihood of adapting to any such change.
|
The primary focus of this month's article is on the CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative: Free Leadership Resources.
|
Project Unicorn’s 2026 School System Data Survey Open
|
At AESA, we believe data has the power to transform learner outcomes, but only if the infrastructure behind it is strong, secure, and interoperable. That is why we are proud to support Project Unicorn in the launch of their 6th Annual School System Data Survey (SSDS).
Project Unicorn uses this aggregate data (never identifying a participating educational institution) to steer national initiatives.
Why should your institution join the movement?
-
Personalized Guidance: Every participant is eligible for a free 1:1 technical assistance meeting with a Project Unicorn expert.
-
Exclusive Access: Get early access to the State of the Sector Report and a briefing before its public release.
-
A Token of Thanks: Complete the survey by June 30 and receive a $15 gift card.
Your participation helps lay the foundation for a modernized and secure digital ecosystem nationwide. The confidential, aggregate data helps Project Unicorn advocate for a better EdTech ecosystem and develop the specific resources that school systems need most.
|
Correspondence Address:
PO Box 404, Cheshire, CT 06410
|
Remittance Address:
Department 3990, PO Box 986500
Boston, MA 02298-6500
|
|
