Chapter 1 of this study introduces the education service agency (ESA) by briefly examining its history and reviewing recent research on its present status. Identifying three basic ESA patterns (special district, regionalized agencies, and cooperative agencies), the initial chapter observes that, although most ESA's were not established until the 1960's and 1970's, by 1981 there were regional service agencies in 39 states. Chapter 2 discusses national characteristics of ESA's in such areas as governance, finances, programs and services, and staff relationships. Chapter 3 focuses on the extent to which ESA's are meeting the needs of their constituents through improving educational practice, providing administrative services, and offering direct student services. Chapter 4, which constitutes roughly half the study, makes short-term (5 years), middle-term (10 to 12 years), and long-term (turn of the century) predictions concerning the ESA's future role. Following a list of nine recommendations in chapter 5 that include creating a climate conducive to shared decision-making with constituents and continuing the professional development of ESA staff, the study concludes with a brief summary. (JBM)