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Strengthening Global Connections: Jason Hiruo in Hungary
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Last week, Jason Hiruo, AESA Chief Global Officer, traveled to Hungary to strengthen international partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration. The visit built on more than a year of strategic relationship-building with Hungarian educational leaders, most notably Dr. Tamás Novák, Head of International Relations at the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) and former Science and Technology Diplomat at the Hungarian Consulate General in New York. Dr. Novák will also participate in the Global Panel of Worldwide Partners during the closing general session of the upcoming Annual Conference & Expo.
During his trip, Jason met with key educational institutions and leaders to discuss initiatives such as educator exchanges, student programs, and collaborative learning experiences. These conversations advance AESA’s mission to bring global perspectives into ESA communities.
Hungary’s rich educational heritage and openness to international collaboration make it a strategic partner for AESA. The visit laid the foundation for programs that will benefit students, educators, and administrators, positioning ESAs as hubs of global learning and innovation.
This global momentum comes at a perfect time...
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Starts next week!
This first-of-its-kind training will prepare your ESA to lead international initiatives and global partnerships. Enrollment is limited to best support the personalization and success of each participant, so don’t miss your chance to join the inaugural cohort shaping the future of global education.
Register>>
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Don’t Miss Out: Advance Your ESA’s Strategy This Fall!
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Whether you're starting with 1.0 or diving into 2.0, these workshops are your opportunity to invest in your leadership and your organization’s future.
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Take your strategic leadership to the next level with this highly-rated program happening October 20-21 in Riverview, FL (less than 2 weeks!). You’ll gain tools to implement strategy, sustain progress, and lead with confidence.
Register >>
Note: While participants will benefit from having completed BSF 1.0, this year we’re relaxing the prerequisite.
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And if you’d like the chance to complete the foundational workshop, Business Strategy Framework 1.0 will be offered right after our Annual Conference & Expo in Colorado this December 5-6, 2025. It’s a perfect way to get both experiences within a short window of time!
Register>>
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September 2025 State Examiner Available
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The September 2025 State Examiner report examines evolving state accountability systems, highlighting shifts toward Portrait of a Graduate frameworks, career readiness, and financial literacy. Districts are adapting through data, resources, and professional development, with ESAs playing a key role in supporting alignment and continuous improvement.
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Membership Spotlight: CESA 2 + Waterloo School District
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Waterloo School District is setting a powerful example of what educational transformation can look like when purpose, community, and career readiness come together. Through its partnership with CESA 2 and implementation of the Career, Community, and Life Readiness (CCLR) Framework, Waterloo has shifted from traditional back-to-school routines to a district-wide culture of innovation. Led by Superintendent Brian Henning, the district is empowering educators, engaging students in real-world learning, and building strong connections with local businesses to prepare students for meaningful futures.
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Join Us in Affirming Our Shared Commitment to Children and Youth with Disabilities
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AESA and AASA have proudly signed on to the Shared Principles developed by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). We encourage our state associations and ESAs to join us in affirming this important commitment to ensuring that children and youth with disabilities receive the education and support essential to their growth and development.
These principles highlight the power of collaboration in advancing policies and practices that protect the rights of children and youth with disabilities, strengthen families, and support educators and administrators. They will be shared with policymakers and the media as a unified statement of support.
Please consider adding your organization’s name by Friday, October 17, 2025, using the link below:
Sign the Shared Principles
You can review the full list of principles here:
View the Shared Principles
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FCC Votes to End Biden-Era Wi-Fi Hot Spot Expansion
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Last week, the FCC voted 2 to 1 on orders that would make both Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots ineligible for E-Rate support. Commissioner Gomez issued strong dissents, which argued that the Commission had failed to allow public input before making these decisions, that there was adequate statutory support for allowing the E-Rate to support both, and that there was significant public harm caused by these decisions. We will update the blog with details of the timing of implementation and what the roll back means for districts and libraries who may have applied for this use in the current application cycle.
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School Mental Health Grants Reopened
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The U.S. Department of Education released revised priorities for both the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program. Superintendents may recall that 2/3 of the prior awardees were notified in April that their grants would be discontinued because their grants did not align with the Trump Administration’s priorities. Applications for both awards are due October 29th, 2025. The applications reference a preapplication presentation, but that has not yet been posted on the Department’s website. More details on the blog.
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Inside the Education Impacts of a Shutdown
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Politico’s education newsletter outlines the potential impact of a shutdown on education programs, noting among other things that the Education Department would continue making Title I and IDEA grant funding available.
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Screens in Balance: Education, Technology, and Community Conversations
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A new report from CoSN explores the widespread use of screens in K–12 education—smartphones and social media, EdTech, and screen-based entertainment—and how each affects students in and out of school. It also clarifies the often-misused term “ screen time” to help educators, families, and policymakers engage in more productive conversations.
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From Surplus to Scarcity: K–12 Districts Brace for Leaner Years
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New Report from McKinsey Team details how America’s public schools are heading into a perfect storm: federal stimulus dollars are gone, costs are climbing, and enrollment is shrinking in most states. McKinsey's look at district finances reveals just how steep the challenges are and where leaders are bracing for impact.
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Inside the Education Impacts of a Shutdown
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Politico’s education newsletter outlines the potential impact of a shutdown on education programs, noting among other things that the Education Department would continue making Title I and IDEA grant funding available.
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Helping Educators Access Better Healthcare While Reducing Costs to the District
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Across the country, educators are working harder than ever—yet too often they face the challenges of being overworked, underpaid, and burdened by the rising costs of healthcare. With medical expenses climbing year over year, school districts and service agencies are under increasing pressure to provide affordable, high-quality benefits to their staff.
That’s where Universal Benefits Consortium (UBC) can help. As an industry leader in self-funded, fully insured, and our hybrid model known as level-funded, we specialize in creating customized health insurance solutions designed to meet the unique needs of your specific service agencies and the staff whom you employ.
By partnering with UBC, your district can:
- Reduce your overall healthcare spend without compromising quality or access.
- Leverage innovative plan designs tailored to the specific needs of your staff.
- Give educators peace of mind with reliable benefits that they can actually afford to use and a trusted partner by their side.
- Rely on UBC’s top-tier customer service for comprehensive monthly plan reviews as well as a tailored employee communication plan to leverage benefits
We’d like to offer you a free evaluation of your current health plan. We’ll show you exactly how it’s performing and where there may be opportunities to improve. If we can help, we’ll let you know. If not, we’ll be honest about that too. Just drop us an email at amanda@ubc-benefits.com
Let’s work together to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to our youth receive the care and support they deserve.
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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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