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

How Schools Work, And How to Work with Schools


How Schools Work and How to Work with Schools (2014) demystifies public education for policymakers, government officials, community members, business leaders, and others interested in partnering with schools to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all students and ensure they are successful in their academic pursuits. How Schools Work includes:

  • Explanation of public education governance at the federal, state, local, and school levels and how national organizations influence education policymaking.
  • Ways to meaningfully and positively engage with the education sector, including examples of successful school-community partnerships and best practices.
  • Guiding principles for working with schools and practical steps for more successful collaboration with them.
  • Answers to the most frequently asked questions about public education. For example: What is Title I and how does it support low-income students? And, how are public schools funded?
  • Reliable data sources and resources for additional information on crossover issues in education, from school crime and safety, to school nutrition and health policies and practices.
  • A glossary of common education terms, acronyms, and important federal education programs.

How Schools Work With Schools



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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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Join us for inspiring, thought-provoking sessions that will give both new and longtime members high-quality learning opportunities to equip them to lead for excellence and equity and will elevate the role of state boards of education in policymaking and effective leadership.
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