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


The pandemic increased educator stress and burnout, which has led education leaders to ask how schools were being equipped to handle the potential long-term impacts on staff health. To support and retain quality school staff and promote healthy schools, state boards of education and other policy leaders should consider policy to address the physical, emotional, and mental health of school staff.

Few states had comprehensive policy going into the pandemic to ensure that staff receive adequate supports. By September 2019, only Rhode Island had statutes requiring staff wellness programs in schools, while nine states encouraged it, according to NASBE’s State School Health Policy Database.

Yet the pandemic can be a catalyst for further action on staff wellness and support. Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, state agencies received funds that can be directed at maintaining the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff during reopening, including through hiring school counselors and staff.

NASBE and Child Trends partnered in early 2021 to develop a webinar series on staff wellness during COVID. Discussions from these gatherings sparked five questions state board members can ask to engage their state around staff wellness. …


Five Questions State Boards to Ask about Staff Wellness in the Wake of COVID-19



Related Content



Featured Items

Empowering Families to Improve Youth Mental Health

State education leaders can foster children’s mental health by increasing families’ preparedness and awareness of available resources and activities.

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.
Image Credit: iStock i

Beyond Testing for Lead in Drinking Water: Implications for Funding

While most states encourage or require schools to test for lead in drinking water, funding to sustain remediation lags—despite significant federal grants designed to boost those efforts.

Upcoming Events

From the States