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


As students returned to in-person learning, including those with disabilities whose medical conditions put them at increased risk of illness or death from COVID, several schools and parents went to court to challenge prohibitions of mask mandates and public health orders that let students and staff opt out of mandates. Federal district courts in multiple states heard requests for injunctive relief and declaratory judgment. In most cases, plaintiffs claimed the actions violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 because they prevent these students from equal and meaningful access to public school facilities.


Masks and the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities





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Georgia and Massachusetts Advance Dyslexia Screening and Intervention

State boards can advocate for more young children to be screened for dyslexia and ensure that identified students receive effective interventions, as those in Massachusetts and Georgia have done.

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.
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Teachers Need Multifaceted Support to Improve Literacy

To improve literacy, states should invest in comprehensive supports for teachers to equip them to deliver high-quality, evidence-based instruction.

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