AESA Online News

March 16, 2021

Executives in Residence

Applications are now being accepted for the new cohort of Executives in Residence program.

Interested individuals should complete the application form and submit it by May 15, 2021.

Learn More About the Program

AWARDS

AESA Award Program

Annually, the AESA Executive Council invites its members to recognize their colleagues and peers for their contributions to educational service agencies. Visit our website to learn more about each of AESA's national awards. The criteria and nomination process for each award is fully described in the nomination forms.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 awards program. All nominations must be postmarked by June 15, 2021.

Download Nomination Packet

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

American Rescue Plan Summary

OVERVIEW: The bill signed into law bears a striking resemblance to President Biden’s initial proposal. The funding is far-reaching and includes support for vaccines, schools, small businesses, and anti‐poverty programs. ARP includes almost $220 billion for education, childcare, and education‐related programs, plus $362 billion for local and state fiscal relief, much of which could ultimately support education. The total for the Department of Education is more than twice the fiscal year 2021 regular funding total of $73 billion.

Read: American Rescue Plan Summary Memo

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

KEDC accepting donations for the 'Take Your BEST SOCK' initiative

By Jacqueline Thompson

The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) is partnering with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) and country music artist J.D. Shelburne to launch “Take Your BEST SOCK – Supporting Our Communities and Kids in Schools.”

KEDC is accepting donations of socks until April 1. All donations will go to regional Kentucky Family Youth Resource Centers.

Donations may be brought in person from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to KEDC’s offices or may be shipped via Amazon to their Lexington location.

KEDC Locations:

118 James Court, Suite 60

Lexington, KY 40505

904 Rose Rd.

Ashland, KY 41102

2021 SMALL ESA COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 16

If you are an educational service agency with a small staff, this network is for you!

Our next meeting will be held 2:00–3:30 EST on March 16 where we will be discussing how to grow your services. Listen to AESA Executive Council member, Jan Hanlon, Executive Director of Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative tell her story about how the West Virginia RESAs lost all of their state funding in 2017. Consequently, Jan had to rebuild her cooperative with only a few employees to become the thriving, growing organization that it is today! Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative. Jan has a very compelling story to tell, you won’t want to miss it!

Also joining us is Chris Rooney, Director of Business Services for AESA. Chris will talk about how partnerships can help you grow your services!

Future sessions will be held on:

May 18
July 13
September 21
November 16

Membership is open to all AESA members!

2021 Small ESA Community of Practice

NATIONAL RESEARCH EFFORT

AESA is a Speak Up Champion Outreach Partner

AESA is joining other associations around the country this year to participate in Speak Up and learn how our members are using technology. The Speak Up Research Project, facilitated by Project Tomorrow, is a national research effort and a free service to schools and districts everywhere.

For almost two decades, Speak Up has helped education leaders include the voices of their stakeholders in annual and long-term planning. The reality of the last year is very different from the past. Students are learning remotely. Teachers are using new tools and administrators are trying to find the best solutions and resources. Parents are monitoring their child’s remote learning. During this time of extraordinary disruption and change, it is much more difficult to gain information about how students and teachers are dealing with the new reality.

Now more than ever, Speak Up can provide us with insights into how our members are addressing the key challenges of learning in the current environment.

We are looking forward to collaborating with Speak Up and receiving valuable data on digital learning and technology use. We urge our members to join the conversation by registering and taking the survey. Your views will also be included in the national and state discussions on digital learning policies, programs, and funding.

By participating today, you are helping ensure that your voice is heard as we continue to grow and improve our schools and expand learning for all students.

Learn More About Speak Up

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2021:

CALL FOR BREAK-OUT SESSION PROPOSALS

Now Accepting ESA Breakout Session Proposals

AESA 2021 Annual Conference

Navigating Change: Leading for Tomorrow

December 1-4, 2021

Marriott Marquis

Houston, TX

Breakout Sessions are the backbone of the AESA Annual Conference! We want to hear from you. Please consider submitting your idea to showcase the work of your ESA!

Deadline:

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Contact with questions: Ann Fiene

E: afiene@aesa.us,

P: 715-966-1688

Type of breakout sessions sought include:

Breakout Session: 50-minute session
5 Innovations in 50 Minutes: 5 presenters from ESAs share their innovations in 50 minutes (10 minutes per presenter w/time for Q&A at the end of the session)
ESA Talks: A 15-minute TEDTalk-like presentation (3 presenters per session)

AESA Business Partners: You will receive your breakout session proposal link in a direct email. Do not use this link to submit your proposal. Thank you!

Submit a Proposal

From AESA Business Partners

Simple Behavior Intervention Plans:

Road Maps to Change Any Student's Behavior

March 22, 2021

2 pm Eastern

(1 pm Central; 12 noon Mountain; 11 am Pacific; 10 am Alaska)

The large majority of behavior problems in schools are not serious or severe but disrupt the learning environment on a regular basis. Proactively addressing these behavior challenges with evidence-based strategies reduces the risk of these issues growing into larger problems. A Simple Behavior Plan designed to prevent, teach, and respond provides educators the road maps they need to effectively and efficiently manage these behavior challenges. This workshop shows educators how to create and implement individualized Simple Behavior Plans using Behavior Advantage, making the process both efficient and practical.

Learn More about StOPit Solutions Plus Grant Funding!

Free Webinar

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

2 pm Eastern

(1 pm Central; 12 noon Mountain; 11 am Pacific; 10 am Alaska)

Join AESA Business Partner STOPit Solutions for a webinar to learn more about its Safe360 suite of safety and mental wellness products AND how to take advantage of 2021 federal grants to offset school ESA-related costs. In 2020, over $6.6M was awarded to ESAs in nine states!