Washington’s Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD)
AESD brings together Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts to work on shared goals and advocate for students, schools, and communities across the state.
Collaboration
How we work
We collaborate to strengthen relationships among ESDs and share solutions in service of students and communities.
Learning
How we grow
We build leadership capacity through shared professional development.
Advocacy
How we impact
We advocate for policies that support students and schools. We build partnerships and make sure student voices are heard.
What is an ESD?
Educational Service Districts (ESDs) are public entities that were created by the state of Washington in 1969 to provide cooperative services to local school districts. The expressed purpose of ESDs, as defined in statute (RCW 28A.310), is to assure equal educational opportunities by: providing services to school districts to ensure equity in educational opportunities; assisting the Legislature, State Board of Education, and OSPI in the performance of their duties; and providing cooperative and informational services to local school districts.
Our National Network
The Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) is a national organization serving educational service agencies in 45 states, with 553 member agencies. AESA focuses on three areas: thought leadership, advocacy, and networking. Together, AESA members have a significant impact on teaching and learning across the country.
AESD Annual Conference
Each year, we host a conference for ESD board members to learn together and build connections across regions. The event rotates around the state so participants experience different communities firsthand. We welcome partners and sponsors who share our commitment to Washington’s 1.1 million students and more than 60,000 educators. Check out our Learning Resources to learn more!