NASBE Offers Guide to Effective Student Board Membership

Alexandria, VA—Twenty-four states have at least one student member serving on their state board of education, either in a voting or nonvoting capacity. But inclusion alone does not guarantee meaningful participation, and short terms do not allow much time to become effective in the role.

A new NASBE report explores the deliberate choices some boards have made to ensure that substantial student input informs their decision making and poses five questions that members of other state boards can ask to overcome barriers to student board members’ full participation.

1. Why have a student on the state board?
2. How can we strengthen student representation on our board?
3. What processes should we use to identify and select a student member? What should our criteria be?
4. What consent, age-related, or other legal requirements must be considered? What authorities should a student board member have?
5. What structures and supports can we put in place to build the student member’s knowledge, confidence, and sustained engagement?

“Effective student board membership requires active, ongoing investment,” writes NASBE’s Caroline Flower. “Boards that build mentorship, logistic supports, and clear protocols into their membership structure make it possible for student members to engage substantially and contribute on an equal footing to the adults in the room.”

Read “Five Questions to Ask about Having Student Members on State Boards.”

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