March 10, 2026

Today is the final day to submit applications for the 2026–27 AESA Executives in Residence (EIR) Program.

The EIR program is designed to support and develop the next generation of ESA leaders through a yearlong experience focused on leadership growth, peer learning, and meaningful connections with colleagues from across the country. Participants gain valuable insight into the broader ESA landscape while strengthening the leadership skills needed to guide agencies into the future.

Learn more and apply: https://www.aesa.us/executives-in-residence/

If you’re interested but need a little more time to complete your application, please reach out to Jessica Huizenga, Chief Programs Officer, immediately at jhuizenga@aesa.us to discuss possible options.

We encourage emerging ESA leaders to take advantage of this opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute to the future of our network.

The clock is ticking! If you’ve been thinking about submitting a breakout session for the 2026 AESA Summer Leadership Conference, this is your friendly nudge—proposals are due this Thursday, March 12.

Have a strategy that’s working in your ESA? Built a partnership that’s making a difference? Found a smarter way to lead, support districts, or strengthen systems? Your colleagues across the AESA network would love to learn from it.

We’re looking for practical, engaging sessions that spark conversation and share ideas leaders can take home and put into action right away. Your session should connect to one of our four conference strands, covering topics from leadership and learning systems to partnerships and smart stewardship.

The conference will take place July 14-16, 2026, in Riverside, California, and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic gathering of ESA leaders from across the country. 

So grab that great idea you’ve been kicking around, gather a colleague or two, and submit your breakout proposal before Thursday.

AESA joined 12 other education organizations to submit comments on a proposed rule from the Department of Education (ED) to amend the regulations for the Federal student loan programs to implement the changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Read more about this update.

Education Week launched their third annual report on The State of Teaching.  The report, which features interactive charts showing the Teacher Morale Index score for each state, provides valuable intel for educators, as well as the district leaders, school leaders, and policymakers who support them.

A new report from NWEA finds that roughly one-third of schools have recovered in either math or reading since the pandemic, but far fewer have rebounded in both, and offers recommendations for local leaders planning next steps in recovery.

The74 reports on data from Johns Hopkins University showing that students receiving virtual one-on-one tutoring made measurable gains in reading, reinforcing evidence suggesting that virtual models can be as effective as in-person tutoring.

Education Week examines the impact of Congress’s approved level funding for English learners in the FY26 budget, raising concerns about its inadequacy amid a growing student population and rising education costs.

In April 2026, updated federal requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will take effect, significantly expanding digital accessibility expectations for K–12 public school districts. These updates reinforce an essential responsibility: ensuring all communication platforms and content are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Donovan Group has a digital accessibility toolkit for you to use.

On February 27, USED released Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences: A Strategy for Relevance and Renewal, a report on the future of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) prepared primarily by now-former USED official Amber Northern.