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

The State Education Standard


September 2023Volume 23, No. 3

Engaging All Students

Authors explore the reasons why students increasingly feel uninspired and disengaged at school and outline steps state leaders can take to help schools and districts increase students’ engagement and connectedness.

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Featured Articles from this Issue

Getting Students Engaged in Learning

By Jennifer A. Fredricks

Targeted interventions and savvy classroom practices, coupled with supportive state policy, can draw disengaged students back in.



Centering School Connectedness

By Robert Balfanz

High schools are creating student success teams that prioritize relationships and leverage actionable data to reconnect students to school.



May 2023Volume 23, No. 2

High Schools That Matter

This issue of The Standard reimagines the high school experience, illuminating the data, policy reforms, and engagement with students, families, and educators that must align to make redesign possible.


January 2023Volume 23, No. 1

Leading and Governing

Is there another domestic policy space more complicated than state education governance? In the face of the 50-plus ways of constructing state systems of public education in this country, the authors in this issue of The Standard attempt to tease out what constitutes strong leadership and effective governance.


September 2022Volume 22, No. 3

Equipping Teachers

Teacher recruitment, preparation, and retention tops the priorities among state board members for better information to guide policymaking.


May 2022Volume 22, No. 2

Advancing Math and Science Instruction

Advancing math and science education entails doing something different so it is possible for all students to achieve mastery.


January 2022Volume 22, No. 1

Supporting Learning for Students with Disabilities

Authors in this issue of the Standard identify challenges in policy, debunk myths, and highlight approaches and evidence-based practices for serving students with disabilities effectively.


September 2021Volume 21, No. 3

The Role of Schools in Racial Justice

Authors in this issue argue schools can progress toward educational equity only if, at every challenge, state leaders are willing to make decisions that put the needs of our most vulnerable students first.


May 2021Volume 21, No. 2

Reimagining School

Bolstered by American Rescue Plan funds and lessons learned during pandemic-induced school closures, state policymakers have an opportunity to reexamine and reform their education systems.


January 2021Volume 21, No. 1

Equity in Rural Education

Authors of the January 2021 issue of the State Education Standard discuss the issues faced by rural schools and how the pandemic has amplified many of those issues.