Member Newsletter
AESA’s weekly newsletter, Online News, is full of important updates, articles, and features. It is intended to connect members with information about what is happening at the federal level, provide AESA event information, and share news important to ESAs.
Read the Current Issue of AESA Online News
October 6, 2026: 2026 AESA Award Recipients; State Policy and Budget Outlook for 2027; BSF 2.0 Still Has Room; Affiliated Nonprofits Webinar; Executive Assistant to the CEO Network; Gallia-Vinton ESC Pilots Ohio Mentoring Academy; Welcome, State Charter ESA; One Week Left to Speak Up for E-Rate; Rescission Package Update; Defend the Spend Requirements; Superintendent Stability and Student Achievement, and Spending Smarter on Teacher Pay. 🔊 Audio Overview
Online News Archives
September 29, 2026: Takeaways from AiA; Sen. Smith Honored with AESA Congressional Service Award; BSF 2.0 in October; 501(c)(3) for Your ESA; Early Bird for Annual Ends Tomorrow; Share Your AiA Moments; Independence for Braelyn; Building Inclusive Tech Systems; Protect E-Rate, and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio Overview
September 22, 2026: Week's Events; E-Rate Comment Deadline; Academy for Women Leaders in Louisville; 501(c)(3) Webinar; AESA Webinar; Build Your Ed Field Studies Traveling Teams; Global Leadership Institute; Member Spotlights; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.🔊 Audio Overview
September 15, 2026: 2027 Educators Field Studies Communications Toolkit; Last Chance for Advocacy in Action; Special Education Directors Network; 501(c)(3) at Your ESA; You Belong Here Orientation; Tech InCITES Webinars; and Federal Updates.🔊 Audio Overview
September 8, 2026: Inclusive Technology; Business & HR Network; CTE Learning Lab; Behavioral Health Network; State Examiner; New & Returning Members; Federal Tax Credit Toolkit; Student Support Resources; and Federal Advocacy Updates.🔊 Audio Overview
September 1, 2026: Early Bird is Sept. 30 for Annual Conference: Webinar for Assistive Technology Leaders; Intro Webinar for CTE Learning Lab; Professional Learning Networks; AESA Global Spring and Summer 2027 Experiences; 600+ Members & Counting; KCSOS Success Story; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Advocacy Updates. 🔊 Audio Overview
August 25, 2026: E-Rate Call to Action; DC Hotel Deadline; AESA Global Summer 2027 Field Studies; NEW Behavioral Health Network; Screen Time Webinar & Networks this week; New Member - LINKS Mat-Su Parent Resource Center; #OregonStrong; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.🔊 Audio Overview
August 18, 2026: Help Protect E-Rate; CEO/Board Member Orientation Aug. 20; AESA-Hosted Webinars; Business Officials & Human Resources Network; Remaining 2026 AESA Conferences; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio Overview
August 11, 2026: You Belong Here; GlobaLens Summer Edition; Ascend Academy; Technology Leaders Network; CIESC Documentary Earns Honor; Upcoming EdTech Webinars; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio Overview
August 4, 2026: CEO & Board Member Orientation; Federal Advocacy Webinar; July 2026 State Examiner; Operations Online Learning Lab; Communications & Marketing Network; OESCA Recognized Among Ohio's AI Leaders; Project Tomorrow's K-12 Cybersecurity Survey; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio Overview
July 28, 2026: CTE Online Learning Lab; Technology Leaders Network; Advocacy in Action Conference; AESA Global in China; New Michigan Study Highlights Early Literacy Coaching; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Advocacy Updates.
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July 21, 2026: SLC Recap; Contact Your Member of Congress; ESAs Mentioned in National Article; Welcome ROE #13; Greenbush ESC's Podcast; AASA Web Series & Nutrition Survey; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio file
July 14, 2026: June State Examiner; Contact Your Member of Congress; AESA Conferences; Book Club to Meet July 30; Michigan ESAs Highlight Coaching Impact, P2C Expands Career-Connected Learning with PAIU; Marsh McLennan's Employee Benefit Report; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio file
July 7, 2026: Advocacy in Action Registration Open; Help Protect E-Rate; Member Creates E-Rate Site for Pennsylvania; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio File
June 30, 2026: Help Protect E-Rate; Audio Online News; AESA Awards Due TODAY; Watch Recording on Global Engagement Pathways; Congrats to the New Global Coordinators; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio File
June 23, 2026: Deadline for AESA Awards June 30; Ask Jason Webinar Tomorrow; Educator Field Studies Return Home; Hotel for Summer Leadership Conference Extended to June 26; KEDC Recognized in U.S. Senate AI Testimony; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio File
June 16, 2026: Audio AESA Online News; Where the US Stands in Global Education; Women Leadership Award; Mid-Season Programs Guide Refresh; SLC Hotel Block Closes June 21; West 40 Brings Global Learning to Life; Collaborating Partner Surveys; and Federal Advocacy Updates.
June 9, 2026: Registration Open for Annual Conference & Expo; Global Coordinator Training; Leadership Academy; Networks; Garner Holt at SLC; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates. 🔊 Audio File
June 2, 2026: Introducing GlobaLens; Early Bird for SLC with Pre-Conference & In-person Launches; Reimagined Leadership Academy; May 2026 State Examiner; Nominations for Outstanding Individual Achievement Award; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.
May 26, 2026: Global Coordinator Training Webinar this Friday; AESA Foundation Tribute Donations; Which AESA Academy is Right for You; Nominations Sought for ESA Writing & Research Award; SLC Early Bird Ends June 5; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.
May 19, 2026: Live PlanMember Q&A This Thursday; Donate to the AESA Foundation; Nominate Someone for Technological Achievement Award; SLC Schedule Now Available; Invite AESA to Your Next Event; AESA Feature as Newest Member of LFA; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.
May 12, 2026: Executive Council Recap; Nominations Sought for Excellence in Executive Leadership Award; Mindset Over Machines is Today; Last Chance for BSF 1.0; Live Q & A with AESA Business Partner; Global Competency Webinars; Collaborating Partner News; and Federal Updates.
May 5, 2026: 2026 Awards Nominations Open; April 2026 State Examiner; AESA Academies; Upcoming Business Strategy Workshops; Ask Jason Webinars; Global STEM Research for HS Students; Learning Tour during SLC; Welcome Back Northeast Wyoming BOCES; Indiana ESCs Strengthen Student Data Privacy; FCC Portal Changes Raise Concerns; Live Q&A with Business Partner; and Speak Up National Cybersecurity Survey.
April 28, 2026: AI Leadership at AESA; Sync Up at SLC; Final Call for Annual Conference Breakout Proposals; Region 12 Hosting BSF 1.0 and Other BSF Workshops; Live Q&A with myPlanMember; Federal Updates.
April 21, 2026: AI Roundtable on May 12; Leadership Academy 26-27; Global Research & Education Project 2026; Ask Jason Sessions this Spring; 3 Months Until SLC; Member News; Federal Updates; and Collaborating Partner News.
April 14, 2026: AESA Wins CoSN Award; Austria Added to 2027 Leadership Academy International Experience; STEM Research Opportunity for HS Students; Leadership AI Roundtable; New Member: Grundy/Kendall ROE #24; Member News; Federal Updates; and Collaborative Partner News.
April 7, 2026: Introducing 2026-27 EIR Cohort; March 2026 State Examiner; 2026-27 Programs Guide; More Ask Jason Sessions; Welcome New Member: SESA; Federal Updates; and Business Partner News.
March 31, 2026: Mindset Over Machines Roundtable; Ask Jason! Today at 2 PM (ET); AESA Foundation Closes Tonight at 7 PM (ET); Returning Member - ROE #3; and Federal Updates.
March 24, 2026: 2026-27 Leadership Academy Applications Open; Ask Jason Webinar; AESA Foundation Auction; Breakout Proposal Due Dates; Federal Updates; and Collaborating Partner News.
March 17, 2026: AESA Foundation Auction; SLC Registration Open; Annual Conference Call for Breakout Session Proposals; Ask Jason Webinar; EIR Alumna now ACES CEO; New Institutional Member: Vienna High School; and Federal Updates.
March 10, 2026: Last Day to Apply for 26-27 EIR; March 12 Deadline for #AESASLC26 Sessions; Federal Updates, Business Partner News.
March 4, 2026: Support the AESA Foundation; February 2026 State Examiner; Expanding Global Learning; One Week Left for EIR Applications; March 12 Deadline for #AESASLC26 Sessions; Member News; Federal Updates, Collaborating Partner News.
February 24, 2026: Teach in China; Call for Proposals for #SLC26; Member News; Federal Updates; Business Partner News; CoSN Update.
February 17, 2026: Book Club List; EIR Participant Requirements; Call for Proposals for #SLC26; Member News; and Federal Updates.
February 10, 2026: AESA Becomes Member of LFA; 26-27 EIR Cohort Application Open; AESA Global in China; Recruiting Educators to Teach in China; Mercer County ESC YouTube Channel; and Federal Updates.
February 3, 2026: AESA Talks to VT Legislature; January 2026 State Examiner; Job Central; ESA Podcasts; and Federal Updates.
January 27, 2026: AESA Global on Member Podcast; AESA Job Central; Applications for MREA Executive Director; Federal Updates; PlanMember Update; and Collaborative Partner News.
January 20, 2026: AESA State Advocacy Services; 26-27 ESA Innovators' Circle; Vermont Launches First BOCES; Applications for MREA Executive Director; OESCA Appoints Deputy Director; Federal Updates; CoSN Update.
January 13, 2026: New AESA Executive Council Members; Executive Search Services & MREA Executive Director Search; STEM Century: AESA Edition; Job Central Available for Members; Virtual Federal Advocacy Meeting Next Week; Federal Updates.
January 6, 2026: Lineup of Upcoming AESA Activities; New Member Portal Account Form; Post Job Openings on Job Central; Call for Regional AI Trainers; December 2025 State Examiner; AESA 2025 Photos; AESA Edition Book; Be a PAL; Federal Advocacy Updates and Call to Action.
December 23, 2025: Happy Holidays; Annual Conference & Expo Photos Available: Rodney in the Region Goes to AESA 2025; Member News; Federal Updates, including info about 2026 Virtual Federal Advocacy Meeting; Collaborative Partner News.
December 16, 2025: Foundation Auctions Were a Success; AESA Book Now in Paperback; Celebrating 2025 AESA Award Winners; Winter Reads for AESA Book Club; Member News; Federal Updates; Collaborating Partner News.
December 9, 2025: Annual Conference & Expo Recap; AESA Book Reaches #1; Online Auction Still Open; Call to Action-Advocate for FY26 Ed Funding; Fed Advocacy Meeting; Federal Updates.
December 2, 2025: Giving Tuesday; November 2025 State Examiner; AESA Foundation Online Auction; Upcoming Workshops for AI Learning; Federal Updates; CoSN Update
November 25, 2025: Coming Soon—STEM Century: AESA Edition; Know Before You Go to AESA 2025; Affordable Cybersecurity for Schools; Federal Updates; Collaborative Partner News.
November 18, 2025: Summer Educators Field Studies Now Open to School Staff; Last Issue of Perspectives Journal; Countdown to Colorado Springs; Member Updates; Federal Updates; Collaborative Partner News.
November 11, 2025: Meet the Global Coordinator Trainees; AESA Foundation Programs; Member Updates; Federal Updates; Collaborative Partner News.
November 4, 2025: AESA Executive Search Services; October 2025 State Examiner; AESA Foundation PAL Program; Auction Items Sought; Member Updates; and Federal Updates.
October 28, 2025: Help Us Grow the AESA Network; Leadership Through Stories; Events on the Horizon; Expanded CTE Opportunities at Capital Region BOCES and OAISD; Welcoming NCHE; Congrats Kent Leaders and Dr. Doyle; Federal Updates; P2C Resource Library; Free Be Internet Awesome Kits.
October 21, 2025: Registration for 2026 Virtual Federal Advocacy Committee Meeting; Summer 2026 Educators Field Studies; Join Us at the Broadmoor; Member News; Collaborating Partner News.
October 14, 2025: 2025 AESA Award Recipients; Welcoming AESA Intern, Barnabás Novák; AESA Global's 2026 Summer Field Studies; Welcoming Rock Island County ROE as an AESA Member; Federal Advocacy Updates; Collaborating Partner News.
October 7, 2025: Jason Hiruo in Hungary; Global Coordinator Training; Don't Miss Fall 2025 BSF Workshops; September 2025 State Examinier; Member Spotlight on CESA 2; Federal Updates; Business Partner Update.
September 30, 2025: Final Call for Women Leaders, Business Strategy, and Global Training Opportunities; Early Bird Rate and Silent Auction at Annual Conference & Expo; NPESC Named Backbone Organization for Northeast Ohio STEM Hub; and Federal Updates, including Info about Government Shutdown.
September 23, 2025: Recap of Advocacy in Action; Rep. GT Thompson Receives 2025 Congressional Service Award; Global Coordinator Training Webinar Today; Annual Conference & Expo Early Bird Registration Ends October 17; Support AESA Foundations' Silent Auction; Business Strategy Framework Workshops; Spotlight on MA Members; Federal Updates; CoSN Update.
September 16, 2025: September At-A-Glance; Welcome Back Camden County ESC; Celebrating 50 Years of IDEA with MOEC; Butler County ESC's Schoolwide Download podcast; Federal Updates.
September 9, 2025: Networks Starting this Week; Academy for Women Leaders Program Overview; Hands-On Learning for ESA Operations Teams; Spotlight on State-Level Advocacy: MCIU; Federal Advocacy Updates: Business Partner Updates.
September 2, 2025: AESA Global is HERE; Executives to the CEO Network; Member News; Federal Updates.
August 26, 2025: AESA's Special Education Director Network; Federal Updates; National Dog Day with Archie of Arch Ford ESC; Char-Em ISD's Leaders in Education podcast; CoSN update.
August 19, 2025: Tag AESA in New Member Posts; BO/HR Officials Network; Nominate for Executive Council; Federal Updates; Welcome Back Cap Cod Collaborative; Ingham ISD;s TTLL podcast; Business Partner news.
August 12, 2025: Introducing AESA Global; Closer Look at Technology Leaders Network; Federal Updates; Wisconsin Virtual School at 25; SWWC's Integrate This! Ed Tech Podcast; P2C Invitation to Impact Study; Project Unicorn's new podcast.
August 5, 2025: Share Leadership Updates with AESA; Closer Look at NEW Consultant Network; July 2025 State Examiner; Advocacy in Action Pre-Conference Highlights Released; Federal Updates; Region 20 ESC's The Autism Exchange podcast; Supporting Students Through Crisis and Loss.
July 29, 2025: AESA Customized Services; Fall 2025 Program Guide; Administration Releases $5B in Federal Funding; Federal Updates; Welcoming Newest Members: ROE #21, ROE #30, and LABBB Collaborative; KEDC Launches Mobile AI Lab; Spotlight on Ingham ISD; DPO Download podcast; Shoutout to EdAdvance.
July 22, 2025: 2025 Summer Leadership Roundup; Members Raise $1,395 for Flood Relief; Bass Receives 2025 Exemplary Service Award; Urge White House to Release FY25 Title Funds; Federal Updates; CESA 2's Building Educator Capacity podcast; CoSN Monthly Resource.
July 15, 2025: Support Texas Communities during SLC; Federal Updates; CESA 6 Model for Strategic Success; SWAEC Director on National Podcast; AESA Leadership on WIU Pulse podcast; Welcome Back DuPage ROE; Welcome MMA as New AESA Business Partner; and Collaborating Partner news.
July 8, 2025: June 2025 State Examiner; Operations Online Learning Lab; Federal Updates; New Member LCISD; Member Spotlight on CCIU's BioTech; Nebraska ESU 6 Data Literacy Story.
July 1, 2025: Call to Action for Federal K-12 Funding; Importance of Advocacy in Action Conference; Schedule At-A-Glance; Federal Updates including 3 Big Wins for Education; Member Spotlight on Research; Share Your ESA Podcast; Collaborating Partner News; and more.
June 24, 2025: 2025 Advocacy in Action Conference Registration Open; AESA Networks; Last Week to Submit AESA National Awards; Last Week to Reserve Room at Overflow Hotel for Summer Leadership Conference; Federal Updates; ECESC's Forge Your Future podcast; Collaborating Partner News; and more.
June 17, 2025: Announcing AESA's Academy for Women Leaders; AESA Networks; Nominations Sought for Congressional Service Award; Overflow Hotel for Summer Leadership Conference; AESA's Fall Lineup of Business Strategy Development Workshops; Federal Updates; EdAdvance's ChatEDU podcast; Collaborating Partner News; and more.
June 10, 2025: Retirement of John Bass; Nominations Sought for Women in Leadership Award; Professional Learning Opportunities Newsletter; AESA Foundation Tribute Donations; Federal Updates; Spotlights on MTSS in California and Carbon Lehigh IU; Region 16's Unlocking Potential podcast; Upcoming Q & A with Lightspeed + STOPit; Project Tomorrow Survey; and more.
June 3, 2025: Nominations Sought for Outstanding Individual Award; 25-26 AESA Netowrks; May 2025 State Examiner; Tribute Donations to the AESA Foundation; Federal Updates; Spotlight on Ulster BOCES Superintendent and podcast; Upcoming Q & A with Lightspeed + STOPit; Project Tomorrow Surveys; and more.
May 27, 2025: Breakout Sessions for 2025 Summer Leadership Conference; Nominations Sought for ESA Writing and Research Award; Federal Updates; Spotlight on Region 4 ESC; KEDC podcast; CoSN Monthly Update; and more.
May 20, 2025: 2025 Annual Conference & Expo Registration Open; Inviting AESA to Your Event; Nominations Sought for Technology Advancement Award; Federal Updates; New Member, ROE #11; Spotlight on California's COEs; MCIU Learns podcast; and more.
May 13, 2025: Executive Council Spring Meeting Recap; Nominations Sought for Excellence in Executive Leadership Award; AESA Foundation Tribute Donations; Federal Updates, Member Updates including ACES' Future Proof podcast; ESA Spotlight on Bucks County IU; Maximizing District ROI with Pdgogy.ai; and more.
May 6 2025: Lead AI Trainers Announced; AESA Recaps Asia Travels; AESA National Awards Nominations; April 2025 State Examiner; Perspectives update; Federal Advocacy Updates; Member Updates including Region 16 ESC's For the Love of Pre-K podcast; Student U.S.–Korea International STEM Research Program; and more.
April 29, 2025: State Advocacy Webinar Starts Today, Application Deadlines this Week for Leadership Academy, EIR, and GenAI Trainer; Member Survey Still Open; Federal Advocacy Updates; Member Updates including West 40's Shift Everything podcast, and more.
April 22, 2025: Member Survey Open; Become a K-12 AI Trainer; Events & Deadlines Next Week; Federal Advocacy Updates; Member Updates including the ROE 17 Pod podcast, and more.
April 15, 2025: EIR Participant Experience; Annual Conference - Submit a Proposal and/or Exhibit; Revised Timing for Leadership Academy Deadline and BSF 2.0; Federal Advocacy Updates; Member Updates including CKEC's EdVantage podcast, and more.
April 8, 2025: AESA in AASA Magazine; March 2025 State Examiner; April Deadlines; Federal Advocacy Updates; Member Updates including MOEC Highlighting #IDEA50 and CESA 6's Smart Thinking podcast, and Exhibit at Annual Conference & Expo.
April 1, 2025: New AESA Address Reminder; Tribute Donations to the AESA Foundation; Hotel Cutoff Date Extended for BSF 2.0; Opportunities Abound; Federal Advocacy Updates: Member Updates including Ventura COE's Focus on Education podcast, and Business Partner news.
March 25, 2025: Last Call for BSF 2.0; Submit Proposals for 2025 Annual Conference; 2026 Leadership Academy Going to Spain & Portugal; Register for 2026 EIR; State Advocacy Webinar Seriers; Federal Advocacy Updates: Member Updates including Sourcewell’s EdSoul podcast, and Business Partner news.
March 18, 2025: Registration Open for EIR program, Leadership Academy, and Summer Leadership Conference; State Advocacy Webinar Seriers; Federal Advocacy Updates: Member Updates including the SBO Perspectives podcast, and Business Partner news.
March 11, 2025: Call for Proposals for 2025 Annual Conference, New AESA Staff Member, Reminder for AI Regional Leaders Info Sessions, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including Carbon Lehigh IU’s ChangED podcast, and Business Partner news.
March 5, 2025: Tribute Donations to the AESA Foundation, AESA/CoSN Call for AI Regional Leaders, February 2025 State Examiner, Final Call for Proposals for 2025 Summer Leadership Conference, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including ESUCC's The Good Life podcast, and AESA's New Business Partner, 21stCenturyEd.
February 25, 2025: Call for Proposals for 2025 Summer Leadership Conference, Share Your Story of Federal Funding Cuts, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including KEDC's On the Road with Carla podcast, and More!
February 18, 2025: AESA's Inaugural Global Advisory Council, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including the Lead On with Greg & Mark (LOwGaM) podcast, Business Partner News; and More!
February 11, 2025: Final Call for Women’s Leadership Network Gathering, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including MESD's Leaders Build Leaders podcast, Business Partner News; and More!
February 4, 2025: January 2025 State Examiner, Lead Trainer in AI, AESA Women’s Leadership Network Gathering, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates including LTC's One-to-One podcast, Business Partner News; and More!
January 28, 2025: Become a Leader in Generative AI for K-12 Education, Invitation to the AESA Women’s Leadership Network Gathering, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates, Business Partner News; and More!
January 21, 2025: Business Strategy & Development Services and Classes, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates, Business Partner News; and More!
January 14, 2025: Executive Search Service, AESA/CoSN announcement, Newly Elected AESA Executive Council Members, New AESA Staff Member, New AESA business addresses reminder, Federal Advocacy Updates, Member Updates, Business Partner News; and More!
January 7, 2025: AESA Executive Council election deadline, Virtual Federal Advocacy Meeting reminder, December 2024 State Examiner link, 2025 Reading Leaders Book Club list (first half), New AESA business addresses reminder, federal advocacy updates, partner news; and more!
Federal Updates
New “Defend the Spend” Requirements Could Create Delays and Administrative Burden for Districts
The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance implementing the federal grant payment requirements established under Executive Order 14222, commonly referred to as “Defend the Spend.” The initiative requires all agencies to provide additional justification and review before federal grant funds can be drawn down by grantees, with the stated goal of increasing transparency and accountability in federal spending.
Read MoreRescission Package Does Not Impact K-12 Formula Funding
On September 24, the White House sent Congress a rescission package that would cut $810 million of federal funding that was appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2026 but has not yet spent.
Read MoreThe President signed the Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, allowing early childhood and pre-K educators to claim the same $350 federal tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses as K-12 teachers. This deduction will help offset the hundreds of dollars educators spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and learning materials.
Read More