The State Education Standard

Our refereed journal, the State Education Standard, includes articles by subject-matter experts, who provide insight into education policy issues that are significant for state boards of education. An editorial advisory board comprising state board members reads and comments on drafts of each major article of the Standard prior to its approval for publication.

Learn more about the State Education Standard by downloading our advertising rate sheet and editorial calendar or contact NASBE Editorial Director Valerie Norville for more information.

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Also from NASBE

September 2020 — Volume 20, No. 3

Next-Generation Assessment

Bowing to the realities of the pandemic, states halted annual summative testing this spring, with a federal blessing. Yet with the U.S. Department of Education signaling that they will not waive the required tests for the current school year, there is no better time for state policy leaders to reexamine their assessment systems to address long-standing challenges, say authors in the new issue of NASBE’s State Education Standard.

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Featured Articles from this Issue

States Experiment with Assessment through Innovative Pilots

By Joseph Hedger

Five states received federal waivers for regular assessments so they could pilot assessment systems in select districts or schools over five years.

Performance Assessments: Promises and Pitfalls

By Marianne Perie

By learning from the past, state boards can add depth and relevance to their assessment systems.

May 2020 — Volume 20, No. 2

Gauging School Climate

As school buildings reopen after weeks of pandemic-induced closures, school climate will matter more than ever. State policymakers and education leaders can plan now to create safe, supportive learning environments ready for the return of students and teachers to classrooms. The articles in The Standard provide a roadmap.

January 2020 — Volume 20, No. 1

Fostering Arts-Rich Schools

There are many good reasons for state boards to pay attention to the depth and breadth of instruction their schools offer in music, drama, theater, dance, and media arts.

September 2019 — Volume 19, No 3

Getting Students Career Ready

Every student needs academic and technical skills to prepare them for life and every student needs to plant their feet on a career pathway during their K-12 journey.

May 2019 — Volume 19, No 2

Moving the Needle on Literacy

To move the needle on literacy, state policymakers must consider the full spectrum of research and focus on high-quality teacher preparation, continuous professional development, and rich curriculum to meet the needs of all students.

January 2019 — Volume 19, No. 1

Student Safety and Wellness

The horrific school shootings in Florida and elsewhere in 2018 sparked new rounds of questioning across the country about how to prevent such tragedies and keep students safe.

September 2018 — Volume 18, No. 3

Getting to the Core of School Finance

While most state boards do not directly make funding decisions in their states, they still have the opportunity to review budget requests and appropriations and provide guidance to school districts to ensure that school spending is adequate to serve the needs of all students.

May 2018 — Volume 18, No. 2

Fresh Start on School Improvement

Through the Every Student Succeeds Act, state policymakers can reset how they address low-performing schools and provide support by capitalizing on the added flexibility and approaches already adopted in many states and districts.

January 2018 — Volume 18, No. 1

Stepping Up for Early Childhood Education

The impact of early childhood education is undeniable. Yet access to high-quality early education across the country remains uneven, and many children still enter elementary school unprepared.