The Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students. The center is one of 20 centers located throughout the state of Texas. In 1967, the Texas Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to set up regional media centers as part of its commitment to provide quality training and support to educators and school districts.

Region 12 continues to experience growth in size and the services it provides to educators, districts and charter schools. Still located in the heart of Central Texas, the center maintains its pledge to provide professional development and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students.

The main office offers more than 7,000 square feet of meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 700 people. The region encompasses 11,024 miles which includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties, and is comprised of:

  • 77 independent school districts
  • 11 charter schools
  • 141,007 students
  • more than 19,000 educators, administrators and staff

In an effort to provide professional development training at convenient locations throughout Region 12, the center has five satellite sites. The Educator Preparation and Certification Program (EPCP) is offered at the ESC training facilities in Nolanville and Waco.

The center does not have tax levying or bonding authority, but receives revenue from three primary sources: federal, state and local. The center is governed by an eight-member board of directors, seven elected by members of local district boards of trustees and one from a charter school. The panel oversees the center’s budget and develops policies regarding management, operations, programs and services. In addition, it is empowered to employ and dismiss an executive director, subject to the approval of the State Commissioner of Education.

ESC Region 12 is committed to the continuous improvement model for enhancing programs and services as defined in the following four strategic priorities:

1) To assist school districts in improving student performance.
2) To assist school districts in increasing effectiveness and economy of operations in a safe and orderly environment.
3) To assist school districts in the implementation of statewide and regional initiatives.
4) To enhance quality communication as the key to positive climates and productive partnerships.