Bridging Policy and Practice in Ohio Schools ft. Craig Burford | Lessons Learned | Ep 2

Lessons Learned

How do Educational Service Centers (ESCs) help turn policy into practice in Ohio’s schools?

In this episode of Lessons Learned, Matt is joined by Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio ESC Association (OESCA), to discuss the role Educational Service Centers (ESCs) play in shaping student success across the state.

With over 25 years of experience in the field, Craig shares how ESCs serve as critical connectors—bridging state legislation with on-the-ground implementation in school districts. The conversation dives into Ohio’s strategic focus on high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and career and technical education (CTE), emphasizing how ESCs support schools in delivering personalized, future-ready learning experiences.

Throughout the episode, we explore key topics like:

• How ESCs provide essential support to districts by leveraging public-private partnerships and shared expertise

• The evolving role of ESCs in aligning student pathways with workforce and postsecondary demands

• Why individualized learning journeys are central to Ohio’s vision for education

• The practical impact of HQIM and CTE initiatives at the local level

• How state-wide efforts are grounded in community context and educator collaboration

Whether you’re a policymaker, district leader, or educator, this episode highlights actionable strategies and insights for building responsive, student-centered systems that prepare learners for life after high school.

Quote of the Show:

• “How do you reverse engineer what the future could look like and what you want into the type of profession that interests you—that could provide you with the income and the quality of life that you want to be able to do [the things you love]? What's the education you need to get there? And [we’re] finding that in all instances, it doesn't take a four year degree. Trying to force everybody into that—the square peg into a round hole—just doesn't work.” - Craig Burford

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-e-burford-7b32432/
• Website: https://www.oesca.org/home

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