Because of their proximity to local districts and state and local funding, regional educational service agencies (RESA's) and their staffs of linking or change agents are key tools in communicating new knowledge for educational improvement. This paper explores factors promoting knowledge sharing by distinguishing among knowledge bases (research, craft), purposes for use (technical, political, enlightenment), and ways knowledge is shared (informing, skill developing, implementing), and by discussing areas that may aid in understanding knowledge sharing's breadth: job characteristics, background, networking behavior, district characteristics, and RESA behavior. A knowledge exchange survey involving 23 RESA's and 345 district administrators reveals that use of RESA's varies markedly. Implications of findings are important for future research. A three-page bibliography is appended. (KS)