After years of education system reforms that, at best, tinker at the system’s edges, generations of families and students remain systemically marginalized, underserved, underprepared, and undereducated, COVID-19 has only made starker and more urgent the unfinished work of ensuring that all students receive an excellent education. It is time to do something different.


Designing for Equity





Also In this Issue

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Achieving Racial Justice in PreK-12 Education

By John B. King Jr. and Denise Forte

Progress is possible. Back to normal is not good enough.





Designing for Equity

By Hal Smith

It takes a whole community to lift up policies and practices that support equity and end those that don't.





Teacher Diversity and Student Success

By Constance A. Lindsay

State policymakers should name diversity as a marker of teacher quality.





Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

By Julie Sugarman and Melissa Lazarín

State leaders should ramp up supports for EL students and their families.






Racial Justice through Expanded Choice

By Derrell Bradford

Decoupling where students receive education from where they live is key to undoing the system's racist roots.





Supporting Youth with the Most Need

By Hailly T.N. Korman

For many, the pandemic has been just one of a host of barriers to a high-quality education.





Engaging Students through Ethnic Studies

By Woody Exley

California, Connecticut, and Texas broaden their elective offerings.





District of Columbia Embeds Antiracist Lens in Update of Social Studies Standards

By Jessica Sutter and Alexander Jue

State board tees up a revision process and standards characterized by civic engagement and cultural responsiveness.








Featured Items

Diverse multiethnic kids students having break and using smartphones, sitting at desks in classroom, children playing games and checking social media at school i

Curbing Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

State boards are well positioned to create guardrails to help school districts make informed decisions on cell phone policies.
The child hands drawing the American flag. Concept of independence day, July 4. i

Civic-Ready Students

More and better civics will inspire students to become better citizens who will be equipped to participate, preserve, and defend America’s democracy and engage in reasoned, respectful discourse.

Annual Conference 2025

Registration is now open for NASBE’s 2025 Annual Conference, the only conference designed specifically for state boards of education.

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