In 1965, the 59th Texas Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to establish media centers throughout the state. Two years later, the State Board of Education divided the state into 20 regions, assigning each media center to begin operations and serve in each region. In 1966-67, Title III of the U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Act provided funding for start-up costs associated with establishing supplementary educational centers. Each regional center received a Title III planning grant of $67,524. Additional Title III funds were received through cooperative agreements with districts in the region. These funds were used to develop the Regional Educational Service Centers as we know them today.

The 60th Texas Legislature expanded the Regional Service Centers' services and designated the roles of each service center in coordinating educational planning for the region. Additional funds were not appropriated, so the centers operated on funds derived from media services and federal Title III planning grants, which amounted to about $85,000 per center.

In 1984, the Texas House passed Bill 72, which directed the Regional Education Service Centers to work closer with the Texas Education Agency and school districts to raise the quality of district programs, and enhance uniformity and consistency in district operations.

In January 1992, the State Board of Education adopted revised rules for the operation of the Service Centers. Under these rules, the commissioner of education participates in the selection of and approved the hiring of executive directors, annually evaluates each executive director's performance, and approves each center's operating budget. In 1997, the 75th Legislature reauthorized the existence of the Regional Education Service Centers by passing Senate Bill 1158.