NASBE is a nonprofit 501(c)3 association that represents state and territorial boards of education. It has existed for nearly 60 years, currently maintaining a staff of 20 at its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. NASBE is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of officers and area directors who are state board of education members from across the country. Sixty percent of the NASBE’s revenue comes from state board of education dues. The organization also has funded projects that support the work of state boards from foundations and government agencies, including The Wallace Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, Helmsley Charitable Trust, Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and others. NASBE also receives annual support for our convening activities from corporate partners.
In addition to state boards of education, the NASBE membership includes associate members (typically former state board members, local superintendents and school board members, members of other education organizations, as well as others with an interest in education policy). NASBE has two affiliate organizations: the National Council of State Boards of Education Executives (NCSBEE) and the National Council of State Education Attorneys (NCOSEA).
The National Association of State Boards of Education is the only national organization giving voice and adding value to the nation’s state boards of education. A non-profit organization founded in 1958, NASBE works to strengthen state leadership in educational policymaking, promote excellence in the education of all students, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, and ensure continued citizen support for public education.
NASBE’s membership is kept abreast of the latest developments in public policy via several key tools Policy Updates, State Innovations, Education Leaders Reports, and our journal, The State Education Standard.
NASBE serves as a rich source of information for its members, producing original, timely information on education’s most pressing issues via:
Original Reports: NASBE’s Study Groups and staff produce original reports that address single topics through in-dept research, and provide state and local leaders with recommendations for action.
The State Education Standard: NASBE’s highly respected journal is dedicated to covering state education policy issues. Each issues provides in-depth coverage of a pressing education topic. Other frequently released member resources include education research and analysis, federal legislative updates, tips on effective policymaking, coverage of education reform efforts across the nation, and other vital resource documents.
On behalf of its membership, NASBE: Sponsors Study Groups that bring together education experts, state education policymakers, and national education officials to collaborate and produce in-depth reports on timely education topics.
Communicates with Congress, federal executive agencies, business and industry, national associations, and other state decisionmakers, including chief state school officers, state legislators, and governors, giving voice to state board needs and influencing the education policymaking process on state and national levels.
NASBE staff continually works to stay in front of state and national education issues. Through Study Groups, task forces, funded research, and individual expertise, staff anticipates what to expect from the latest phase of ESEA reauthorization, e-learning issues, special education concerns, and much more.
