National Association of State Boards of Education

06/05/2020

Turnaround for Children's Dr. Pamela Cantor and Nora Gomperts pen a commentary for NASBE as a follow on to their recent #NASBEStandard piece -

"Positive developmental contexts are always necessary for learning, development, and equity, but they are especially critical now, with all students experiencing disruption and black students facing continued racial violence, which threatens their physical and emotional safety."

Read on: https://www.nasbe.org/three-strategies-to-optimize-students-learning-and-development-in-todays-context/

On a related note, join us for our June 17 webinar with Dr. Cantor, University of Oregon's Dr. Phil Fisher, and The Education Trust's Dr. John B. King. Register here: https://www.nasbe.org/event/promoting-whole-child-development-amid-pandemic-recovery/

06/01/2020

NASBE stands resolutely against all acts of racism and racist violence. We feel the angst of the nation as we collectively struggle with racism and intolerance, and we commit to working with all partners to listen intently to those seeking to be heard as we ensure that young people of color are valued and safe both in school and in the community.

Our organization supports state leaders as they relentlessly pursue equity and excellence in our public education system and as they serve children of all race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability status. The futures of these students, whose schools have not always met their needs, rests with us and the decisions we make. The social unrest and political upheaval gripping our nation must renew our resolve to act against the systemic, persistent plague of bias and racial injustice that our young people face.

Please take a moment to read our statement on the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests gripping our nation: https://www.nasbe.org/statement-on-death-of-george-floyd-and-racial-protests/

05/29/2020

Introducing the new NASBE.org

Have you seen the all-new NASBE.org yet? Take a quick tour!

The NASBE team is proud to announce a brand new nasbe.org! We implemented several features that makes the website easier to navigate and find topic-relevant ...

05/26/2020

The BIG reveal! Introducing the all new nasbe.org! We hope you love it as much as we do. Check us out - www.nasbe.org and visit often!

05/25/2020

🇺🇸Happy Memorial Day!🇺🇸 This year, we remember those who came before us and made the ultimate sacrificed for our freedom and safety. Today, we celebrate those on the front lines who are fighting a different kind of battle helping us through this pandemic.

05/21/2020

What will it take to get kids back to class? Three questions.

NASBE's Robert Hull on what it will take to get kids back to class:

“There’s a lot of fear and a lot of concern,” he says, “and the way you handle that is by being methodical, by being strategic, and being open and transparent and including everyone in the conversation.”

What K-12 education might look like in the fall is starting to take shape as educators consider options for returning students to class.

05/19/2020

Learning Policy Institute

If you attended a recent NASBE office hours, you got a little preview of this. Great info here.

While schools across the U.S. have been closed for months due to #COVID19, policymakers and school leaders are starting to make plans to reopen schools for the next academic year, or even sooner. In order to reopen schools safely and mitigate disease spread, they will need to address several important health considerations. Our new policy brief looks at five countries that have been successful, to date, in avoiding the spread of COVID-19 in schools, elevating practices from these countries that can inform strategies for reopening schools in the U.S. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/reopening-schools-covid-19-brief

05/18/2020

The new issue of NASBE’s State Education Standard explores how state leaders can foster healthy school climates. Heavy hitters Linda Darling-Hammond (Learning Policy Institute), Pamela Cantor (Turnaround for Children), David Osher (American Institutes for Research (AIR)), Randy Ross (National School Climate Center at Ramapo for Children), Kristen Harper (Child Trends), and others write for the issue. Their insights are more important than ever amid COVID-19 recovery efforts. Read the full issue here: https://www.nasbe.org/gauging-school-climate/

05/07/2020

To reopen schools, they need to be clean and safe. Our new analysis includes considerations for state leaders as they issue guidance for schools.

Read it here: http://www.nasbe.org/policy-update/preparing-facilities-for-students-return-in-the-wake-of-covid-19/

05/04/2020

It's the start of Teacher Appreciation Week! It takes on a whole new meaning this year! Thank you teachers for ALL you do in the classroom, Zoom room, or where ever your class "room" is right now!

04/16/2020

American schools may look radically different as they reopen

State boards of education are engaged in important conversations about the future of education in a post-COVID-19 world. What will the new normal look like? NASBE President and CEO Robert Hull provides some national perspective in this AP story.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — School administrators across America are trying to re-imagine classrooms — and the prospect of reopening schools — in the era of social distancing. Will there be...

04/14/2020

With widespread school closures due to COVID-19, states are amending graduation requirements for high school seniors. Read our new analysis of how some states are approaching this while keeping equity in focus.

Read it >> http://www.nasbe.org/policy-update/state-boards-wrestle-with-graduation-policy-during-pandemic/

04/01/2020

2020 Census | United States Census Bureau

It's no joke - Today is Census Day! It marks the start of the #2020Census. It's more important (and easier) than ever to be counted. Learn more about the 2020 Census efforts here: https://www.2020census.gov/

Learn about the 2020 Census - how to respond, and why it matters. Shape your future. START HERE.

03/27/2020

Breaking - President Trump signs the CARES Act. Our President and CEO Robert Hull comments:

"On behalf of state boards of education everywhere NASBE thanks our congressional leaders and administration for passage of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill! Students, teachers, families, and communities everywhere will benefit from this bi-partisan leadership."

03/17/2020

Food Finder

Our members may remember an org/app started by a Georgia student in the height of the Great Recession called "Food Finder." It's serving an important purpose in our current COVID-19 crisis. Please spread the word. More here: https://foodfinder.us/

03/13/2020

COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel | U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education ireleased new resources for educators and local leaders on K-12 flexibilities, student privacy, and educating students with disabilities during the coronavirus outbreak. More info at: ed.gov/coronavirus

Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") into communities across the United States. Schools can play an important role in this effort.

03/13/2020

www.cdc.gov

Lots of change with school (and statewide) closures overnight. The CDC has issued new guidance for school closure, which includes a decision tree and other details on community spread and precautions for schools and students. More here:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/considerations-for-school-closure.pdf

03/11/2020

As COVID-19 spreads, most states have laws that address how schools should respond to pandemics - Child Trends

Check out this great new resource from our friends Child Trends and EMT Associates that compiles state policy around infectious disease and COVID-19 response. Bottom line: Most states have policies addressing how schools should respond to pandemics.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led schools across the country to assess their level of preparedness for a pandemic. Forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have statutes and/or regulations that govern how schools or school districts should respond to a disea...

03/10/2020

NASBE - Announcement: Legislative Conference 2020 Canceled

We share your concerns over the spread of COVID-19. We have made the difficult decision to cancel our upcoming legislative conference in Washington DC.

Read more from our announcement here: http://www.nasbe.org/press-releases/announcement-legislative-conference-2020-canceled/

The  develops, supports, and empowers citizen leaders on state boards of education to strengthen public education systems so students of all backgrounds and circumstances are prepared to succeed in school, work, and life.

02/27/2020

Join us for Legislative Conference - March 22-24! Early registration ends Friday, February 28... that's tomorrow! We're excited to hear from the likes of David Steiner, Maryland State Board of Education; Ary Amerikaner from The Education Trust; Missouri Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven; and RealClear Politics' Carl Cannon, among others.

Register here: http://www.nasbe.org/news-info/nasbe-legislative-conference-2020/

02/25/2020

Only a few more days to lock in your early registration rate for Legislative Conference - get on it! Register here >> http://www.nasbe.org/news-info/nasbe-legislative-conference-2020/

02/11/2020

Have you used the NASBE State Policy Database on School Health? It'll be getting a refresh soon and we'd love your feedback so we can make the data more useful for your work! Take our short survey here: ow.ly/FdtF50yiIfb

02/04/2020

Just released - How the Kansas State Board is confronting youth vaping ... and how other states can steal from their playbook. (Hint: the key is stakeholder engagement!)

Read our new State Innovation here: http://www.nasbe.org/state-innovation/kansas-state-board-confronts-youth-vaping/

01/31/2020

Did you know? Registration for Legislative Conference is now open! Details here: http://www.nasbe.org/news-info/nasbe-legislative-conference-2020/ Join us!

01/14/2020

NASBE - Fostering Arts-Rich Schools

How can state policymakers foster arts-rich learning that leads to student success? Authors in the latest issue of NASBE's State Education Standard argue arts is an essential part of student learning and growth. Getting arts education right can lead to positive student outcomes.Read the full issue here: http://www.nasbe.org/standard-issue/fostering-arts-rich-schools/ #NASBEStandard #artseducation

The  develops, supports, and empowers citizen leaders on state boards of education to strengthen public education systems so students of all backgrounds and circumstances are prepared to succeed in school, work, and life.

01/03/2020

We're just getting back in the swing of things here at NASBE after the holidays, Happy New Year to all of our member and edu-friends. Cheers to the start of a new decade!

11/25/2019

Cultivating 21st Century Citizens, Part Three: Modernizing the Playing Field

Have you been reading the blog series on about our Civic Engagemeent Champions? The latest offers a perspective on what it takes to effectively deliver civics education to students.

Providing civic learning and engagement opportunities is critical at all points along the educational continuum from middle school — and…

11/19/2019

NASBE - Tackling the Lack of School-Based Lead Testing

Lead exposure is still a real problem in many of our nation's public schools. Only 13 states, including the District of Columbia, require schools to lead-test their drinking water. None require lead-paint testing in public schools.

State boards can lead on lead remediation in schools. NASBE's Joey Hedger explains how in our new analysis, with commentary from Michigan State Board Member Pamela Pugh, who also serves as Flint, Michigan's chief public health officer.

Read more here 👉 http://www.nasbe.org/policy-update/tackling-the-lack-of-school-based-lead-testing/

The  develops, supports, and empowers citizen leaders on state boards of education to strengthen public education systems so students of all backgrounds and circumstances are prepared to succeed in school, work, and life.

11/18/2019

Washington students have new options to earn a high-school diploma. What’s next?

Well done, Washington! Other states working on graduation pathways options include Indiana and Louisiana.

Starting with the class of 2020, students can choose from a list of new pathways to earn a high school diploma.

11/13/2019

Cultivating 21st Century Citizens Part One: Elevating The Student Voice

Be sure to check out this blog post on the great work our Civic Engagement Champions are doing to empower their students to be engaged citizen leaders!

It’s no secret that civic education in middle school has virtually disappeared in this 21st century as STEM has taken precedence. It is a…

11/07/2019

New from NASBE: How Service Learning Can Help Schools Build Students’ Social, Emotional, and Academic Skills.

"When enhanced through aligned classroom instruction, assignments, and reflection, community service connects all learners—regardless of aptitude or academic prowess—to the skill-building opportunities they need to succeed in academics, work, and citizenship." - Megan Blanco, NASBE Senior Policy Associate

Read on here: http://www.nasbe.org/policy-update/harnessing-service-learning-to-build-social-emotional-and-academic-skills/

11/05/2019

Congratulations and welcome to our newest board members: Audrey Noble (DE), Sarah Moore (AR), Christine Benson, (IL), Fern Desjardins (ME), Alicia Williams (AZ), and Holly Farris (SD). They join several veteran members on our Board of Directors, including Brooke Axiotis (IA), our new NASBE chair, and Byron Ernest (IN), our chair-elect, and Angelika Schroeder (CO), our Secretary-Treasurer.

Read about our board here: http://www.nasbe.org/press-releases/nasbe-membership-elects-new-leaders-to-its-board-of-directors-5/

09/24/2019

We are excited to announce a special screening of The Peanut Butter Falcon at Annual Conference! This heartwarming film celebrates the friendship of three unexpectedly kindred spirits and the differences between them. Plenty of lessons for us all, and implications for policymaking in education!

Plenty of time to still register for #NASBE19 - we've even extended early registration so you can join us and still take advantage of savings! Register here 👉 http://www.nasbe.org/news-info/nasbes-annual-conference-2019/

About the film: A modern Mark Twain style adventure story, THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON tells the story of Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a kind nursing home employee charged with Zak’s return, to join them on their journey.

After the screening, we will discuss themes from the film and policy issues that impact those with special needs.We thank Armory Films, Roadside Attractions, and Lionsgate for making this screening possible.

09/20/2019

Time's up! TODAY is the last day to lock in your registration savings for Annual Conference! Also, grab your hotel room in our block before Monday when rooms will be released! Details here 👉 http://www.nasbe.org/news-info/nasbes-annual-conference-2019/

09/19/2019

We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Civic Engagement Champions! Congratulations to Jane Leyderman, of Dever Elementary School, Chicago; Michael Neagle, Pyne Arts Magnet School, Lowell; MA, Michelle St. Pierre; Loch Raven Technical Academy, Baltimore County, MD; and Don Jenkins, North Whidbey Middle School, Oak Harbor, WA. Read about these #CivicEdChamps award winners here: http://ow.ly/K0fs50wfbIe

We created the Civic Engagement Champions Awards with the Frank Islam Institute to honor the important role middle school teachers play in boosting civic knowledge and engagement among students. These four individuals are the tops!