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
November 11, 2025: Meet the Global Coordinator Trainees; AESA Foundation Programs; Member Updates; Federal Updates; Collaborative Partner News.
Online News Archives
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!
December 31, 2024: New AESA mailing addresses; federal advocacy updates; member news; and more!
December 17, 2024: 2024 AESA Award Winners, AESA Annual Conference Photos, Federal Advocacy, Members Call to Action for Podcasts; and more!
December 10, 2024: 2024 Annual Conference Recap, At-A-Glance Schedule, Federal Advocacy, Members Call to Action for Podcasts
December 3, 2024: Giving Tuesday; Monthly State Examiner Released; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
November 26, 2024: Latest Perspectives Journal Issue; Annual Conference App; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
November 19, 2024: Executive Search Partners; Annual Conference App; Support for AESA Foundation; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
November 12, 2024: Election Takeaways; Annual Conference App; Support for AESA Foundation; Global Advisory Council; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
November 5, 2024: Election Message; AESA Foundation Support; October State Examiner Released; Global Advisory Council; AESA Meeting and Event Coordinator position; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
October 29, 2024: International Expansion for AESA; Global Advisory Council Applications; AESA Meeting and Event Coordinator position; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
October 22, 2024: AESA Meeting and Event Coordinator position; Current Perspectives Journal; Virtual Federal Advocacy Committee Meeting; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner Spotlight; and More!
October 15, 2024: Hurricane Relief Efforts; Annual Conference Early Bird Registration Ending Soon; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner News; and More!
October 8, 2024: Advocacy in Action Handouts; Annual Conference Keynote Speakers Announced; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner News; and More!
October 1, 2024: Advocacy in Action Review; Congressional Servicer Award Announced; State Examiner Released; Annual Conference Early Bird Registration; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner News; and More!
September 24, 2024: Outstanding Individual Achievement Award; Annual Conference Early Bird Registration; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; Business Partner News; and More!
September 17, 2024: Member Benefits; Advocacy in Action Conference; Annual Conference Early Bird Registration; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
September 10, 2024: New CFO for AESA; Advocacy in Action Conference; Annual Conference Early Bird Registration; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
September 3, 2024: State Examiner Release; AESA Executive Council Nominations; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
August 27, 2024: Advocacy in Action Registration; Executive Council Nominations; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
August 20, 2024: National Awards Recipients; Executive Council Nominations; AESA Foundation Auctions; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
August 13, 2024: My Membership Portal; AESA Executive Council Nominations; AESA Foundation Auction Items; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy; Members in the News; and More!
August 6, 2024: Executive Council Nominations; State Examiner; Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy Updates; Members in the News; Business Partner News; and More!
July 30, 2024: AESA Foundation; Leadership Academy; AESA Networks; AESA Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy Update; Business Partners News; and More!
July 23, 2024: Craig Burford Exemplary Service Award; 2023-24 Executives in Residence; Leadership Academy; AESA Networks; AESA Upcoming Events; Federal Advocacy Update; Members in the News; and More!
July 16, 2024: AESA Networks; Advocacy in Action Conference; Annual Conference; Federal Advocacy Update; Members in the News; and More!
July 9, 2024: Advocacy in Action Registration; AESA Networks; Federal Advocacy; Members In The News; and More!
July 2, 2024; State Examiner; AESA New Staff Claire Sowder; Summer Leadership Registration; Federal Advocacy; Members In The News; and More!
June 25, 2024; AESA Position Opening; ; Business Strategy Framework 2.0 Registration; Summer Leadership; National Awards Nominations; Federal Advocacy; and More!
June 18, 2024; Job Central; Network Reminders; BSF Reminders; Summer Leadership; National Awards Nominations; Federal Advocacy; and More!
June 11, 2024; AESA CFO applications open; Summer Business Strategy Framework workshops; National Awards Nominations; Federal Advocacy Updates; McREL Math Research Study applications; and More!
June 4, 2024; Cordell Retirement; Summer Leadership Early Bird Deadline; Small Staff ESAs Network; National Awards; Federal Advocacy; Members In The News; and More!
May 29, 2024: Early Bird Discount for Annual Conference; Small Staff ESAs Meeting; National Awards Program; Professional Learning Opportunities; Members In The News; and More!
May 21, 2024: Small Staff Network Meeting; Annual Conference Registration; Perspectives Article; National Award Nominations; Federal Advocacy Update; Professional Learning Opportunities; and More!
May 14, 2024: Annual Conference Registration Open; National Award Program Applications; Speak Up! GenAI Survey; Federal Advocacy Update; Members In The News; Summer Professional Learning; and More!
May 7, 2024: National Award Program Applications; Federal Advocacy Updates; DOE Applications for Comprehensive Centers Program; Members In the News; and More!
April 23, 2024: Reading Leaders Book Club; Job Central; Public Interest Privacy Center Webinar Series; Member Updates; Federal Advocacy and Legislative Updates; and More!
April 16, 2024: Summer Leadership Pre-Conference; Small ESAs Network Meeting: Executive Council; Member Updates; Federal Advocacy and Legislative Updates; and More!
April 9, 2024: Executives In Residence Applications; Cybersecurity In Schools; AESA Foundation Tributes; Federal Advocacy and Legislative Updates; and More!
April 2, 2024: AESA Executive Search; AESA Annual Conference Session Proposals; National ESA Leadership Academy; Federal and State Legislative Updates; ESA in the News; and More!
March 26, 2024: Executives In Residence Applications; AESA Annual Conference Session Proposals; ESA Leadership Academy Applications; Legislative Updates; Members In the News; and More!
March 19, 2024: Executives In Residence Applications; Job Central Service; Legislative Updates; Members In the News; and More!
March 12, 2024: FAFSA Hurdle; AESA Opportunities; Ed-Fi Alliance Technical Advisory; and More!
March 5, 2024: Project Tomorrow Survey; Member News; K12 Cybersecurity Pilot; Legislative Update; and More!
February 27, 2024: Iowa AEA Commentary; Legislative Update; National Ed Tech Plan Survey; and More!
February 20, 2024: E-Rate Update; Legislative Update; Professional Learning Opportunities; and More!
February 13, 2024: AESA Executive Search Service; Member News Roundup; Legislative Update; and More!
February 6, 2024: Business Strategy and Development Workshops; Small ESA Staff Network; ESAs in the News; State Advocacy Training Webinar; and More!
January 30, 2024: Jerry Maze retirement; Value of Student Data with EdFi; ESAs in the News; Legislative Update; USED National Technology Plans; Business Partner News; and More!
January 23, 2024: New Executive Council members; News Roundup; State Level Advocacy Event; Legislative Update; Federal Advocacy Committe Meeting; USAC E-Rate Update; and More!
January 16, 2024: School News Roundup; Legislative Updates; State Advocacy Training; Program Evaluation Network Spotlight; Upcoming Events; and More!
January 9, 2024: Introduction to Foundation Coordinator; Members in the News; Legislative Update; Federal Advocacy Committee; Reading Leaders Club; and More!
January 2, 2024: Members In The News; Legislative Update; News To Know; Upcoming AESA Events; and More!
Federal Updates
(Updated) Administration Fires ED Staff Important for K-12 Programs
On the afternoon of October 10, the Department of Education (ED) laid off about 450 of its staff as part of a second Reduction in Force (RIF). Most notably for district leaders, the majority of staff in both the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and the Office of Special Education (OSEP) have been let go.
Read MoreAdministration Announces Changes to H-1B Visa Program
This week, the Trump Administration announced changes to the H-1B visa program, which allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions. Many school districts use this program to fill critical vacancies, especially in rural areas where staff shortages are more acute.
Read MoreAn ESA Leader’s Guide to Federal Government Shutdown
Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 will begin on October 1, 2025. Congress must extend funding to keep the federal government open by midnight on September 30 to avert a government shutdown. As Congress heads toward this deadline without a clear path forward, a government shutdown seems increasingly likely. Here’s what district leaders need to know about how they will (and will not) be impacted.
Read More