Responses to a questionnaire survey of 1100 superintendents of school districts in Texas and the 20 directors of Texas's regional education service centers (RESCs) provided the data for this study of the equity and accessibility of RESC services across the state. The report describes the Texas educational system and the RESCs, lists the data…

Prompted by the accelerating growth in the use of education service agencies (ESAs) to improve state systems of education, this discussion of major policy issues and a proposed research agenda is addressed to policy planners at the state or local levels and to policy and research communities. The purpose of the paper is to raise and clarify issues…

Kentucky's first education service agency (ESA) network was initiated in 1972. After expanding to cover most of the state, it was dissolved in 1976 for lack of funding. Using case study methodology, this paper discusses the historical background of Kentucky's educational system, the establishment and abolition of educational regions and of the ESA…

Describes the state networks of education service agencies (ESAs) in Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin. Compares state ESA accreditation programs with regard to intent, evaluation methods, standards employed, use of performance indicators, and sanctions for poor performance. Contains 12 references. (SV)

Five articles about education service agencies (ESAs) serving rural schools yield five insights. Many rural systems owe their existence to ESA support. ESAs provide critical technology support. States should encourage school district collaboration. Inclusion of postsecondary institutional representatives in ESAs is an important step towards a…

Thanks to the economies of scale inherent in networks of education services agencies (ESAs), these agencies can provide small rural schools with access to programs, services, and technical assistance that otherwise might be unavailable. Typical core services of ESAs, historic roots, evaluation of ESAs in Iowa and Texas, and trends in ESA funding…

A comprehensive descriptive study of educational service agencies (ESAs), this project sought to provide an initial database on ESAs that could support future inquiry, to assemble information on present practice that could be used by states to guide the formation of new ESA systems or the modification of existing ones, and to develop an improved…

In recent years various structural approaches have been used in the United States to improve the delivery of elementary and secondary educational services to rural students. Post World War II interest in reorganization of local districts into larger administrative units has shifted to three other approaches popularized in the 1970's (each with…