The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) has a 50 year history of supporting State Boards of Education. The organization has grown over the years to its current staff of 20 employees; however, its mission continues to focus on strengthening State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for students and citizens.

How Does NASBE Impact Education in the US?

National voice on educational policy issues: NASBE is recognized for having an impact on national education policy. The national education agenda is more demanding of states than ever before and requires informed state leadership. NASBE provides the resources for state boards to address the national education agenda. NASBE also regularly communicates and works with the Secretary of Education in the U.S. Department of Education. NASBE collaborates with 15 other nationally recognized associations for “the continual and long-term improvement of public education based on solid research” as an active member of Learning First Alliance. Go to http://www.learningfirst.org/about/ for a list of our educational partners.

Advocacy: NASBE represents states’ and state boards’ interests at the federal level and presents the state board viewpoint to the nation’s education community. Its research provides support for state board members and decision makers when advocating for education policies at the state and local levels.

Policy research: NASBE provides state board members with comprehensive information on the full range of state education issues and trends. Our nationally respected information is scholarly, objective, and based on the most recent research available.

Technical assistance to State Boards: NASBE’s staff provides technical assistance to state boards of education on issues ranging from strategic planning to selection of state superintendents and commissioners to policy development in specific areas such as school leadership, early learning, high school reform, and school health.

Study groups, conferences, and forums: NASBE offers state board members a nonpartisan national forum for the study and discussion of cutting-edge policy issues; this also gives states a chance to learn from the experiences of other states.

Board training: NASBE assists with enhancing boardsmanship skills. It provides training through its New State Board Members Institute and a mentoring program.

Challenge

A membership organization, NASBE derives only 40% of its budget from annual dues; therefore, NASBE is constantly engaged in seeking grants from outside funders to support its programs. Staff would be more productive by spending their time engaged in research and support of state boards rather than grant writing. The advantage to our partners is that large one-time contributions or pledges to the endowment fund would reduce the likelihood of future solicitations.

Endowment Dedicated to Supporting NASBE’s Core Functions

NASBE study groups and the New State Board Members Institute have consistently been evaluated as the organization’s most effective development tools. The NASBE Board of Directors believes these functions are critical for Board Member development and education policy exploration. Therefore, the endowment fund will support two annual study groups and the New Member Institute.

Naming opportunities for three focus areas may be endowed for $100,000 each. One study group has already been claimed in memory of the late Weaver Rogers, former North Carolina State Board of Education Executive Director.

What is a NASBE Study Group?

NASBE convenes two study groups per year, each of which is composed of state board members from eighteen to twenty states and meets three times during a six-month period with presentations from experts on the topic. The study group functions as a key professional development opportunity through an extensive examination of a major public education issue such as high school redesign, civics education, adolescent literacy, and early childhood education. The final report, which includes the study group’s principal findings and policy recommendations for state boards and the education community, is published and released in October.  The results of the study groups are also the basis for advocating for NASBE’s official positions and for state-based technical assistance.

What is the New State Board Members Institute?

Each year NASBE gives new state board members the opportunity to gather with experienced board members and staff at the New State Board Member Institute. NASBE helps support these new members by covering the costs of two members from each state. A state may send more than two board members at its own expense. Held every summer in the Washington DC Area, the Institute is designed to equip new board members with skills, knowledge, and insider tips that will enable them to be more effective board members.

Always one of NASBE’s most popular conferences, the program includes case studies in policy development; “how to” sessions on dealing with the media and handling state board business; a mock state board meeting; special current issues sessions; information on how NASBE can assist state boards and individual members; and many opportunities for questions and answers and group participation. 

Mentors, assigned by NASBE Executive Director, provide further support of new board members. Mentors are former State Board member who volunteer to assist new members with being the best State Board member one can be.