AESA Member Survey is Now Open!
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We want to hear from our members! This is your opportunity to share feedback that will help shape AESA’s programs, services, and advocacy efforts. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, May 5.
NOTE: The survey is intended only for individuals who are currently employed by or serving on the board of an ESA. Alumni, retirees, and business partners should not participate.
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Be a K-12 AI Trainer – Join the Next Phase!
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AESA and CoSN, in partnership with SETDA and AASA, are expanding the Building Capacity for Generative AI in K-12 Education Project and seeking 20–25 new Regional Trainers.
Trainers will help school districts assess AI readiness and develop implementation plans using CoSN’s K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool. This round targets states where we’re still building training capacity.
The application deadline is Friday, May 2, 2025, by 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Events & Deadlines Next Week!
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Monday, April 28, 2025
Submissions due for Annual Conference & Expo Breakout Session
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Session 1 of State Advocacy Webinar Series
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Applications due for 2025-26 Leadership Academy
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Applications due for 2025-26 Executives in Residence program
Friday, May 2, 2025
Applications due for the Gen AI Regional Trainer Role
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On March 28, 2025, the Department informed SEAs that the Administration has canceled any prior approval for “late liquidation” of remaining funds from a variety of federal pandemic recovery funds, including American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER and Homeless Children and Youth (HCY) funds. This action by the Department has been challenged by a group of 16 Democratic attorneys general along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in a lawsuit last Thursday. Read more.
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Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP AKA Title V) Application
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We are aware the application for the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program, part of REAP, is not yet available. We have been in touch with the Department and were informed that it will not be available until early May at the earliest. Given the current anxiety among superintendents around federal funding, we wanted to reassure members that while the application is delayed funding should go out on time. In the meantime, it may be helpful for superintendents to ensure their contact information with the Department, G5 and UEI is up to date since the application period will likely be shorter than usual.
The Rural Low-Income Schools (RLIS) Program - the other part of REAP - go through states and will not be impacted by this delay.
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More than Meets the Eye: Considerations for State and Local Education Leaders Regarding USED’s New Title VI Certification on “Illegal DEI”
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EdCounsel released a great overview of considerations for SEA/LEA leaders in light of USED’s new certification requirements around illegal DEI. Read it here.
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5 Things to Know About Head Start
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The Center for American Progress' Early Childhood team is excited to release an issue brief featuring new Congressional district-level data, " 5 Things To Know About Head Start". Authors Casey Peeks and Allie Schneider highlight the critical role Head Start programs play in providing early childhood development services to hundreds of thousands of low-income children and families each year, especially for populations who face particular challenges in accessing high-quality, affordable care – including children in rural areas, infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, American Indian and Alaska Native children, and children of migrant and seasonal workers. Analysis of Head Start data demonstrates the far-reaching impact program cuts would have on these children & their communities. Since the Trump administration took office, Head Start has been under threat – facing federal grant funding freezes, staff layoffs from the Office of Head Start, and the closure of five regional offices that oversee Head Start programs in 23 states and five territories. On April 11, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration is considering a budget proposal that would eliminate funding for Head Start altogether, as proposed in Project 2025. Protecting this program is critical for children and families that rely on its services and the economy as a whole.
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Budget Reconciliation Explainer & Advocacy Actions
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Congress is currently preparing to slash billions in critical funding impacting education through the budget reconciliation process. Because the budget reconciliation process only requires a simple majority in both the House and Senate, the Republican majority in Congress can advance their policy agenda without bipartisan support — making it easier to push through deep cuts to public education, college affordability programs, and critical supports that students and families depend on. EdTrust has put together " The Next Threat to Education: Congress’ Budget Reconciliation” to outline what families, advocates, and education leaders need to know — and what we can do about it. We must voice our opposition to any proposal that reduces or diverts money and supports from students and public education to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. This resource explains:
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McMahon Defends Massive Cuts at Education Department
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During her remarks at the annual ASU+GSV Summit, USED Secretary McMahon defended the Trump administration’s move to dismantle the Department, and addressed changes to both IES and NAEP among other topics.
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Teens are Embracing AI - but Largely Not for Cheating, Survey Funds
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According to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine and Foundry10, almost 70% of teens who use AI tools say they’ve learned something new from them, with most using AI at home for entertainment rather than in school, while only one in four parents report having used generative AI tools themselves. Coverage on K-12 Dive.
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Education in 17 Minutes: Insights from the ROE 17 POD
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Each week, we'll spotlight a podcast that highlights the voices and insights of our members. Check out AESA’s curated list of ESA podcasts. Is yours missing? Contact Claire Sowder to add it.
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Looking to stay inspired in PK–12 education? Tune into the ROE 17 POD, a quick and insightful podcast from Illinois’ Regional Office of Education #17. Each 17-minute episode features educators and leaders sharing fresh ideas and real-world strategies to transform learning.
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Have we missed one of your ESA’s stories? Send submissions to csowder@aesa.us to be included in future editions of Online News.
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What If Your ESA Could Build Personalized Learning at Scale?
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As educators look to meet academic standards while also creating space for student choice and engagement, 21stCenturyEd’s Pdgogy.ai™ is proving to be a valuable resource for ESAs working to support diverse schools across their regions.
Pdgogy.ai™ supports personalized learning pathways that align to standards while adapting to individual student needs. Educators can create hands-on, curiosity-based projects that foster critical thinking, and enhance instruction with AI-generated visuals and media—all within one platform.
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