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

NASBE Standards-Based Leadership Framework: A Policy Update Series


The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives state boards of education a new opportunity to evaluate, improve and align policies aimed at enhancing student learning and achievement. This series of NASBE policy updates highlights the importance of consistency across policies to ensure effective, efficient learning systems and successful ESSA implementation. It reintroduces the NASBE Standards-Based Leadership Framework, which places learning standards at the center of state education systems where it becomes the lens through which state boards view policy development.

Also from this series:


Accountability in a Standards-Based Learning System

Measures in a Standards-Based Learning System

Student Expectations in a Standards-Based Learning System

Professional Development in a Standards-Based Learning System

Materials in a Standards-Based Learning System

Curriculum in a Standards-Based Learning System

New Windows of Opportunity Thanks to ESSA



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  • Leading a Standards-Based System: Aligning Policy to Standards

    In a standards-based system, learning standards cannot be adopted or implemented in isolation. They must be the hub of all other education system components, permeating all other system functions and serving as the lens through which state board members view all policy design and development.



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