This report presents the results of a study of Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) in Appalachia, with particular attention to the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) RESA program and the 22 RESAs that have received ARC assistance. RESAs are organizations established to provide a range of educational services on a regional basis by combining some of the educational resources flowing to existing agencies. Funds for RESAs may come from federal, state, or local sources, but in all cases they come through existing agencies; RESAs do not have the authority to levy taxes. Chapter 1 provides a brief general description of RESAs and summarizes the methodology used in the study. Chapter 2 focuses on the performance of the RESAs relative to policy issues of concern to the ARC. Chapter 3 examines the implications of recent RESA experiences for the ARC's RESA program and describes possible ARC monitoring and evaluation strategies for RESAs. Chapter 4 discusses the characteristics of a model RESA, focusing in turn on issues concerning the organization and operation of a RESA and on RESA activities, functions, and programs. (JG)