The Impact of the 2016 Elections on State Boards of Education

This NASBE analysis examines the 2016 election results in the 11 states (plus Guam and the District of Columbia) that elect state board members directly, as well as 12 states where the governor appoints the board that held gubernatorial elections this year. In general, the analysis suggests there will be significant changes in the composition of state boards come January, with half of the seats that were up for election changing hands and many new members being sworn in.

Featured Items

Connecting Schools and Communities

Authors in this issue of the Standard suggest myriad ways in which communities can be force multipliers for ensuring that all children are engaged in learning and prepared to thrive as adults.

Image of a black man voting. Credit: Canva

State Education Elections in 2024 Yield Few Shifts

Voters in nine states, three territories, and the District of Columbia elected 64 state board candidates.

Developing Content Standards: A Foundational Task for State Boards

State boards of education typically play a central role in approving academic content standards, though their authority varies by state. This boardsmanship review outlines guiding principles and common processes to help state boards develop high-quality standards.

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From the States

States Face Challenges Building a School Mental Health Workforce

Challenges persist in attracting and retaining this school-based mental health professionals, but some states, including Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, and others, are making progress.
States Address Access to Menstrual Products in Schools

States such as Georgia, New York, Utah, and others have increasingly opted to combat “period poverty" by expanding access to free menstrual products in schools.