December 23, 2025

From all of us at AESA, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with meaningful moments whether you are traveling, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying some well-earned quiet time. As our AESA elves take a short holiday break, the AESA Online News will not be published on December 30, 2025.

The memories are here! Photos from this year’s Annual Conference & Expo are now available—browse, download, and relive the highlights. A huge shout-out to AESA member Lemmy Saylor, Media Services Producer at Central Indiana Educational Service Center (IN), for capturing all the action as our official event photographer!

The 2025 AESA Annual Conference & Expo provided a powerful platform to showcase the reach and impact of education service centers nationwide. This year, Rodney in the Region, a video series by Region 4 ESC Executive Director Dr. Rodney Watson, went national. The series captured perspectives from leaders and practitioners across the country while highlighting the innovation, leadership, and collaboration happening across Texas and beyond.

AESA extends our thanks to Region 4 ESC for amplifying diverse voices and sharing how education service agencies continue to evolve to better support districts and charters. Their work underscores the critical role ESAs play in advancing effective, responsive, and forward-looking educational services.

Across the country, AESA members are helping students and communities connect learning to real-world careers. Ventura County Office of Education is doing just that by investing in hands-on career and technical education that leads directly to in-demand jobs. That commitment recently came to life with the opening of a new facility designed to give students and adult learners access to high-quality training and nationally recognized credentials—right in their own community. Find a news story about the opening here.

West40 recently hosted a furniture giveaway at its St. Joseph Campus, providing essential items—including mattresses and bed frames—to families across West Cook County. This effort reflects West40’s continued commitment to supporting students, families, and communities by addressing real, immediate needs beyond the classroom.

January 21–22, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM ET

Each January, AESA members convene virtually to assess federal legislative priorities and prepare for the work of a new Congress. Participants hear directly from Capitol Hill staff and national advocacy experts about emerging policy trends and the issues most likely to shape the year ahead. AESA’s legislative liaisons will also spotlight the federal topics of greatest significance to ESAs and the students they serve.

Featured sessions include:

• What’s Happening at the U.S. Department of Education? An overview of recent federal actions and their implications for K–12 education

• Immigration Policy and Education Access: Ensuring equitable opportunities for all students

• The Next Wave of EdTech Policy: Preparing for federal action on AI, digital safety, and related issues

Join education leaders from across the country for two powerful days of federal policy updates, strategic planning, and collaborative advocacy.

AESA, alongside ten national education organizations, submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urging the rescission of the proposed public charge rule. AESA expressed serious concerns that, as drafted, the rule would discourage eligible students and families from accessing essential educational and support services by creating fear that participation in certain programs could jeopardize their immigration status. Such outcomes would undermine educational equity and limit access to critical resources for students across the nation. Read the full comments here. 

The Building Capacity for Generative AI in K-12 Education 

project is seeking Regional Trainers to expand access to high-quality generative AI professional learning nationwide. Trainers receive specialized preparation to lead hands-on sessions using the Gen AI Maturity Tool, facilitate collaborative planning, and support districts in making informed decisions based on their unique needs

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How to Apply
Submit an online application with a résumé, two letters of recommendation, and a brief training presentation video (details in the application).

Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged for consideration ahead of the in-person Train-the-Trainer session, February 18–20, 2026 (location TBD).

If you are committed to advancing responsible, strategic use of generative AI in K–12 education, we encourage you to apply.