July 21, 2026

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ESA leaders from across the country gathered last week in Riverside, California, for the 2026 AESA Summer Leadership Conference to learn, connect, and discover new ideas for leading coherent systems and strengthening support for schools.

The conference kicked off with an unforgettable welcome from SPARK-E, the animatronic co-host from Garner Holt Education Through Imagination, who set the tone for an engaging few days of learning.

A favorite experience was the special behind-the-scenes learning tour at Garner Holt Education Through Imagination. While we can't share photos from inside (Garner Holt's no-outside-photography policy keeps a little of the magic under wraps), attendees got an exclusive look at the creativity, innovation, and storytelling that bring educational experiences to life.

Attendees also received the brand-new 2026–27 AESA Programs Guide, giving them a look at the conferences, academies, learning labs, networks, and global experiences coming in the year ahead.

A sincere thank you to all of our breakout presenters for sharing your expertise and making this year's conference such a valuable learning experience. We're also grateful to Riverside County Office of Education for hosting us and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for serving as our conference co-host.

A fun detail from the conference: Riverside COE partnered with Corona-Norco Unified School District to have Career & Technical Education (CTE) students design and create the table centerpieces. Their creativity and craftsmanship added the perfect finishing touch to the event.

Next Stop: Washington, D.C.

Now it's time to take that momentum to our nation's capital!

Join us September 23–25 for the Advocacy in Action Conference in Washington, D.C., where we'll strengthen our federal advocacy skills, stay current on the latest education policy and legislation, and work together to demonstrate the indispensable value educational service agencies bring to school districts, students, and communities across the country.

We hope you'll join us in Washington as we continue making the ESA voice heard where it matters most.

Nearly 800 education leaders have already taken action to protect the E-Rate program.

The FCC is considering proposals that could significantly change this critical program, making it more important than ever for education leaders to demonstrate the real-world impact E-Rate has on schools and students in their communities.

Join your colleagues by sending a message to your Members of Congress today. It only takes a few minutes, but your participation can help reinforce the importance of preserving this essential program.

EDmarket recently published an article introducing its readership to the important role ESAs play in supporting school districts through regional collaboration and shared services. While written for education companies looking to better understand the ESA landscape, it's encouraging to see national recognition of the impact ESAs have on public education.

AESA is pleased to welcome Regional Office of Education #13 in Illinois as our newest member.

Led by Regional Superintendent of Schools John Consolino, ROE #13 serves school districts and educators across southern Illinois by providing leadership, professional learning, compliance support, and services that strengthen educational opportunities for students and communities.

We look forward to partnering with the team at ROE #13 and welcoming them into the AESA community.

Greenbush Education Service Center has launched its own podcast, Echoes of Greenbush, featuring conversations that highlight the agency's people, programs, partnerships, and impact.

The latest episode, Episode 6: Growth & Expansion, explores how Greenbush is evolving to meet the changing needs of schools and communities through strategic growth and expanded services.

AASA is launching a new webinar series exploring the proposed federal scholarship tax credit and what it could mean for public school districts. The first session takes place tomorrow and will provide an overview of the legislation, potential implications, and key considerations for district leaders. AESA encourages ESA leaders to participate and share this opportunity with the superintendents and school districts they serve as they work to understand the potential opportunities and challenges ahead. 

New federal school meal regulations are expected in September, and they'll likely mean: new procurement, new menus, and more staff training.

AASA is gathering data on the current state of school meal programs. Feedback from your school districts will ensure that their response to the regulations—and efforts to mitigate any negative effects—are grounded in data from practitioners across the country. Please share this link with the schools you serve in your newsletters and communications.

This month's topics are the recently released EdTech Quality Indicators Guide and the CoSN Statement regarding the FCC Review of the E-Rate program.

As schools prepare for the 2026-2027 academic year, district leaders face a rapidly evolving compliance environment. Recent developments involving the U.S. Department of Education, changes in federal enforcement priorities, and ongoing questions about the future of civil rights oversight have created uncertainty. ICS's annual Back-to-School Webinar has helped K-12 leaders and compliance professionals move beyond the headlines and focus on what matters most: the practical steps districts can take to strengthen compliance efforts before students return to campus. Join ICS on August 4 at 11:00 am ET. Register here!

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has advanced a package of legislation that would permanently transfer several U.S. Department of Education responsibilities to other federal agencies, moving beyond the temporary interagency agreements (IAAs) announced earlier this year. While the proposals face an uncertain path in Congress, they represent the next step in a broader effort to restructure the federal role in education and could have long-term implications for states, school districts, and Educational Service Agencies. Read more about what the legislation would do and what it could mean.

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a new national K-12 enforcement initiative focused on preventing and responding to sexual misconduct involving school employees and protecting students from sexual abuse. The initiative outlines the Department's enforcement priorities under Title IX and includes updated guidance and resources for schools and districts. Learn more about the announcement and what it could mean for education agencies.

A new CAP report analyzes the impacts of the OBBBA on school meals access and estimates that a family with two children in public school will spend an additional totaling $1,890 per school year on breakfast and lunch following changes to eligibility and cuts to funding.

The Bipartisan Policy Center examines leading programs helping districts and schools design and implement strategic staffing models and highlights Mesa Public Schools which experienced a 50% decrease in teacher vacancies in the two years following their implementation of the Next Education Workforce model.

New regulatory changes from the Trump Administration are under review and could add new restrictions on grant-funded efforts that could have profound effects on schools including on student services, conference attendance, ability to provide mental health services, and more.

A new report from the Wallace Foundation documents the proliferation of assistant principals in public schools—where they work, what they do, what additional support they need, and offers specific recommendations for how policymakers and district leaders can support them.