The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

Valerie Norville


Valerie Norville, editorial director, manages NASBE publications, including its reports and The State Education Standard. Norville commissions authors, edits, manages design and production, and coordinates on NASBE outreach efforts.  She is an editor and publishing manager with 30 years’ experience producing content that makes cutting-edge research and technical expertise accessible to policy audiences.  Previously, she was director of publications for the US Institute of Peace, where she produced reports and books and launched its eBook program.  Before that, she was director of publications and web development at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. She received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia and her master’s from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.


Latest Contributions

Diverse group of high school of college graduates smiling during the graduation ceremony. They are standing in a row. Image Credit: iStock

States Sketch ‘Portraits of a Graduate’

By Valerie Norville

While their entry points and approaches to the work differ, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington have all drawn up profiles that many call the North Star of their state education systems.



Image Credit: iStock

Promoting School Nurses as Leaders in Reopening Schools

By Valerie Norville

This analysis describes how state boards of education and other state stakeholders can partner with school nurses and state school nurse leaders in forming guidance and making decisions about transitions back to school.



Kansas Schools Build Resilience amid Redesign

By Valerie Norville

Schools opt to change their approaches to learning and see gains in adaptability.




High school woman with mortarboard and mask.Image Credit: iStock

State Boards Wrestle with Graduation Policy during Pandemic

By Valerie Norville

States acted quickly to suspend end-of-year assessments and amend graduation requirements for high school seniors amid COVID-19. This policy update highlights trends in state guidance around graduation and grade advancement and how some are addressing inherent equity challenges.



Hands of young potter, creating earthen jar on the circle. Image credit: iStock

Arts in Turnaround Strategies

By Valerie Norville

A+ Schools and Turnaround Arts schools commit to a model of school improvement.