Mediating Middlemen: Education Service Agencies as Policy Interpreters

• In Event: Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Implemention of National and State Policies and Initiatives

Abstract

More than 500 regional educational service agencies (ESAs) across 42 states have been serving public school districts for many years, providing services to meet the needs of their local schools and districts (AESA, 2013). This study delves into the pivotal role of ESAs and the ways in which ESA officials are able to influence the policy implementation process through the study of one area of education policy, that which relates to the educational services provided to English language learners (ELLs). While much research has focused on district and school leaders as policy mediators, we aim to expand this conversation to include ESAs, discussing the ways they decipher what policy means as well as if and how they mediate district policy implementation.

Authors

• Rachel White, Michigan State University

• Madeline Mavrogordato, Michigan State University