Education Service Centers

History

In 1967 the Texas Legislature directed that the State Board of Education provide, by rules and regulations, for the establishment and operation of regional Education Service Centers (ESCs). Twenty Regional Service Centers were established to provide services to school districts throughout the state. The Centers are service organizations, not regulatory arms of the Texas Education Agency, and participation by schools in services of the centers is voluntary. Chapter 8 of the Texas Education Code, enacted by the 75th Texas Legislature in 1997, specified the following purposes of ESCs: Regional Education Service Centers shall:

• Assist school districts in improving student performance in each region of the system;
• Enable school districts to operate more efficiently and economically; and
• Implement initiatives assigned by the legislature or the commissioner.

Funding

ESCs do not possess tax levying or bonding authority and rely on grants and contracts for funding. Revenues are received from three primary sources. State funds, federal funds, and contracts with school districts.

Other Services

• Education Service Center Information
• Hurricane Harvey
• Services for Homeless Students
• Services for Military Families
• TEA Secure Applications Information
• Weather and Disaster Information

Contact Information

Please email escsupport@tea.texas.gov with ESC-related questions.

Service Areas

Regional ESCs support local districts in attaining the missions, goals, and objectives set forth by the Texas Education Agency. The mission of the Texas Education Agency is "to build the capacity of the Texas public education system to provide to all students a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation." State-provided financial support must be used to develop, maintain, and deliver services to improve student and school district performance. Services must also be provided that:

Services Available

The ESCs provide school districts an array of services customized to the regional context. The ESCs deliver these services in a manner deemed appropriate. In some instances, services are delivered at the ESC and in other cases the ESC representatives provide technical assistance on-site in school districts. School districts may procure many of these services throughout the year. Mission critical services are often delivered with additional resources to further support school district beyond the initial service delivery.

Governance

Each education service center is governed by a seven-member lay board. Members of the Boards of Directors are elected by members of local district board of trustees located in each region. These boards develop policies regarding center management and operation, programs and services to be offered, and financial support. Also, boards are empowered to employ and dismiss an executive director subject to the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner has broad responsibility and authority concerning the number and location of centers, regional boundaries, and the allocation of state and federal funds among centers.

Accountability

In addition to evaluations performed by Regional Boards and Center clients, each ESC is evaluated annually by the commissioner. This evaluation includes:

• an audit of the Center's finances.
• a review of the Center's performance on standards and indicators established by the Texas Legislature and the Commissioner,
• a review of client satisfaction regarding services provided, and
• other factors deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.
   

ESCs found to be deficient based on these accountability measures are subject to sanctions by the Commissioner.

Education Service Centers Map

This table provides contact information for the 20 Education Service Centers (ESCs) in Texas. To see a map of the districts in each ESC region, use the Texas Education Agency's School District Locator tool. To see a map of the counties in each ESC region, reference this pdf. You can also search for ESC staff members statewide using the Texas Education Directory.