About Wayne RESA
Wayne RESA is the Intermediate School District (ISD) for Wayne County, Michigan.
Wayne RESA is a regional educational service agency that offers a wide range of services and support to the 33 school districts and 97 public school academies in Wayne County. We provide personalized support that is essential to improving student achievement and advancing educational outcomes throughout Wayne County. Our comprehensive range of services includes professional development for educators, purchasing services, administrative support for school districts, and much more.
What is an ISD?
ISDs — which sometimes go by the name Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) or Educational Service Agency (ESA) — work with local school districts, the Michigan Department of Education, business and industry and community groups. Each ISD works with its local school districts to develop the mix of products and programs to maximize benefits for that area. ISDs increase cost savings for schools, expand educational opportunities, provide professional learning for teachers, and much more.
Resources & Reports
Because of Wayne RESA
WRESA Definitions
Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to race, ethnicity, and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes, but is not limited to age,
national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. Our definition also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.
Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources.
Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people. It’s important to note that while an inclusive group is by definition diverse, a diverse group isn’t always inclusive.
By the Numbers
Our Services
Leadership Development
Wayne RESA provides training and support for local districts who lead in their communities. These services include:
- School board/Superintendent support
- Regular networking for Superintendents/Business Managers/HR Directors/Curriculum Directors/Special Education Directors/Principals
Wayne RESA also provides new teacher academies, Aspiring Administrator academies, and support for the Wayne County Association of School Boards.
Being a Voice for Wayne County Schools & Students
Wayne RESA is a leading voice for education policy in Washington and Lansing by employing resources to track policy and coordinate positions among our schools so our voice is heard by policymakers with the clear purpose of advocating for our children.
Specific School Programs & School Based Services
Wayne RESA provides support to local schools for specific programs and services including:
- Oversight of State GSRP four year-old preschool program
- Direct services to students who are multilingual language learners
- Consulting services to help districts address the medical and health needs of students
- Support to school library programs and services
- Support to local schools who are using technology tools in classrooms for instruction
- Career counseling for high school seniors so they will have a plan leaving high school
Business & Human Resources
Wayne RESA provides several support service programs to help local districts with their business and HR needs. This includes:
- Bus Driver Training
- Cooperative purchasing options
- Transportation and food service technical support
- Pupil accounting technical support and audits
- Consulting service for energy and facility management
- School business manager in training program
- Criminal history and fingerprinting services
- Substitute teacher and other employee consortium
- Online job application system
- Teacher certification and SCHECH support
- And more
Special Education
Wayne RESA has a significant role in ensuring that all students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. Services Include:
- General supervision of the implementation of federal and state requirements
- Coordination of the county special education plan
- Coordination of the Act 18 programs and funding for districts who work together to provide regional programs for students with disabilities
- Professional development and other services to build capacity for supporting students with disabilities
For more information, visit our special education page.
Technology Programs & Infrastructure
The Wayne County Computer Consortium has long been a leader in providing local school districts with technology software programs and the infrastructure backbone needed to operate school systems.
This includes:
- Connection to the internet and filtering
- Access to the state education network
- Backup capabilities for school data
- Software for key needs - payroll, finance, accounting, student records, report cards, food services, state reporting requirements, transportation routing, retirement system reporting
- Parent/staff calling and contact systems
- Video service
- Technician Support
- And more
Wayne RESA's largest budget line item in its general fund is a $5 million contribution to reduce computer service cost to local districts.
Teaching & Learning
One of the core missions of Wayne RESA is to support local schools in their work to improve teaching and learning.
This includes professional development session at Wayne RESA and also direct interaction with local school district and school teams in their districts in the following areas:
- Curriculum content (math, literacy, science, social studies, etc...)
- Improvement (strategic planning, school improvement planning, use of instructional coaches)
- Assessment (how to get student achievement data, how to use it, state requirements)
- Support for low performing schools (State Partnership schools, comprehensive schools, etc...)
- Superintendent's Literacy Initiative
Wayne RESA trains over 20,000 school employees each year.
Obtaining Resources for Our Schools
Wayne RESA works to garner resources for our locals schools so they can improve services to students.
This includes passing through to local districts federal and state grants in excess of $130 million each year, coordinating a regional enhancement millage that generates over $70 million passed through to local districts each year, coordinating Medicaid reimbursement for local districts, coordinating a Special Education millage for Act 18 programs in excess of $160 million annually, advocating for statewide school finance reform, and other efforts.
MAISA Leadership Networks
toDO Fix MAISA links after MAISA launches new website
About Us
Our Mission
Wayne RESA is committed to leadership through service and collaboration for excellence in teaching and learning for all.
Our Vision
Leading ... Learning for All.
Our Beliefs
- We believe Leadership is the foundation of our organization
- We believe Service is the core of our work
- We believe Collaboration is essential to our success
- We believe in the pursuit of Excellence
Wayne RESA is pleased to have earned accreditation, for all of its buildings and programs, through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
