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AESA Joins Learning First Alliance
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AESA has been officially accepted as a member of the Learning First Alliance (LFA), a national coalition dedicated to strengthening public education. In approving AESA’s membership, the LFA Board recognized the strong alignment between AESA’s mission and LFA’s values and highlighted the vital role educational service agencies play in supporting public education nationwide. As part of this membership, AESA Executive Director Joan Wade will serve on the Learning First Alliance Board of Directors.
AESA is grateful to the Learning First Alliance for the opportunity to join this important coalition and contribute the perspective of educational service agencies to the national conversation on public education.
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Ready to Lead? The 2026–27 EIR Application Window Is Open!
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If you’ve been thinking about taking a meaningful next step in your leadership journey, this could be the perfect fit. The EIR Program is a yearlong, immersive experience that begins at the 2026 Summer Leadership Conference, continues through Advocacy in Action in September and the Annual Conference in December, and concludes at the 2027 Summer Leadership Conference. Throughout the year, you’ll stay connected through hands‑on leadership experiences, mentorship, cohort learning, and periodic virtual meetings that keep the momentum strong between in‑person events.
The program highlights key challenges facing ESAs today—from fast‑changing state policies and funding uncertainty to rising tech and AI demands, growing mental health and safety needs, and widening rural equity gaps.
And good news: the AESA Foundation scholarship is available again this year, with the link included right inside the application form.
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AESA Global Leads Professional Learning in China
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Last week, AESA Global was on location in China leading a five-day, in-person professional learning experience focused on strengthening gifted and talented education programs. The AESA Global team worked alongside teachers and school leaders from the Shandong SDU Basic Education Group, engaging educators across elementary, middle, and high school settings.
The training was led by Jason Hiruo, Chief Global Officer at AESA Global, and Meimei Zou, AESA Global Director of Projects, and included Stephen Bergin, Assistant Superintendent at Ansonia Schools (CT), and William Grimm, Global Initiatives at ACES (CT) and a current participant in AESA Global’s Global Coordinator Training Program.
Sessions emphasized building sustainable gifted and talented education systems through case studies, instructional strategies, and curated professional readings. Educators explored practical, actionable approaches that can be implemented at both the classroom and school-wide levels, while also fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.
The program concluded with strong positive feedback from Shandong SDU Basic Education Group leaders and faculty, who expressed sincere appreciation for the depth and impact of the training. Leaders also reaffirmed a shared commitment to gifted and innovative education and to a long-term partnership with AESA, and they look forward to welcoming the AESA Global team back this summer for the third phase of the training.
If your ESA is interested in global engagement opportunities, we encourage you to connect with Jason Hiruo or Meimei Zou to learn more about how AESA Global can support international partnerships and professional learning.
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Share With School Educators: AESA Global Recruiting Teachers for Paid China Experience
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AESA Global is actively recruiting U.S. educators for its Summer 2026 Teach in China program—a two‑week, fully supported international teaching experience designed for public school teachers seeking meaningful global classroom engagement. Participants will teach STEAM with integrated English to Grades 5–9 in partner schools across Shandong and/or Shaanxi Province.
This immersive opportunity includes $2,000/week compensation, round‑trip airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, local transportation, and on‑site support. The two‑week teaching session will take place in July 2026 (within July 6–24; final dates will be confirmed after the Chinese New Year).
We Need Your Help!
AESA Global is asking ESAs to help share this opportunity widely with your member districts and educators. Your outreach ensures teachers across your region are aware of this unique, fully supported international teaching experience.
Teach In China Communications Toolkit
More information can be found on the Teach in China webpage.
Application deadline: February 28, 2026
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Spotlight: Mercer County ESC YouTube Channel
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The Mercer County ESC (OH) YouTube channel features short, practical podcast episodes focused on literacy, leadership, and timely educational topics. Designed for busy educators and administrators, the content offers ideas and strategies that can be immediately applied in classrooms, buildings, and districts.
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Congress Passes Bipartisan, Bicameral FY26 LHHS Spending Bill
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On February 3, Congress passed a bipartisan, bicameral Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding package, alongside four additional bills and a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security to provide lawmakers additional time to negotiate immigration enforcement reforms.
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ED Issues FY26 Small, Rural School Achievement Program Application Notice
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Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced the FY 2026 application timeline for the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program under REAP. Applications will be available through April 13, 2026, with a submission deadline of May 18, 2026.
Eligible local education agencies projected to receive a positive allocation will receive a unique application link by email, and a Master Eligibility Spreadsheet for FY 2026 SRSA and RLIS funds is expected soon.This announcement marks a return to the program’s standard timeline following last year’s delay.
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Ransomware Attacks Against Education Sector Slow Worldwide
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The U.S. saw the highest number of education-related ransomware attacks in 2025 at 130, despite a 9% decline year over year, according to a new report released by Comparitech, a cybersecurity and online privacy product review website.
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Federal Program Will Bring Private School Choice to At Least 4 New States
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How Strong Are States’ Student Cellphone Restrictions? New Analysis Grades Them
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This Education Week article provides an overview of a new analysis of states’ approaches to student cell phone access, called the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card. In addition to detailing differences in states’ approaches, the article provides an overview of current research on the impact of cell phones and of cell phone bans.
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Private School Choice Could 'Undermine' Special Education Gains, COPAA says
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This two-part blog series (click here for Part 2) provides a detailed introduction to climate surveys, including their pros/cons and considerations for implementation.
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Next Gen NAEP: Modernizing and Improving the Nation’s Report Card
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Next Gen NAEP is an initiative to modernize NAEP, while maintaining its gold standard reputation and prioritizing its three-decade trendline of student learning in math and reading. Next Gen NAEP will use a human-centered design process that builds off insights and recommendations from a wide range of experts and stakeholders and will evaluate and test innovations to improve NAEP’s development, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. The kickoff is set for February 2026 with the first design sprint in April 2026. The initiative will conclude in early 2027.
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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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