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

Safe and Healthy Schools

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Addressing the Health Drivers of Chronic Absence through State Policy

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to publicly display data on chronic absence statewide and on school report cards. In addition, 36 states and the District of Columbia opted to include chronic absence as a measure of school success in their ESSA accountability systems. This change positions state boards of education to delve […]

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Policy Update

Examining Chronic Absence through a Student Health Lens

To understand the drivers of chronic absence, state boards of education should examine data on student health in their state. This policy update suggests questions for state boards to ask and actions they can take to address chronic absence. 

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State Innovations

School Leaders' Role in Empowering Teachers through SEL

To implement SEL well, states like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington are empowering school leaders and educators through "adult SEL" initiatives.

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The Standard

Student Safety and Wellness

The horrific school shootings in Florida and elsewhere in 2018 sparked new rounds of questioning across the country about how to prevent such tragedies and keep students safe.

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Policy Update

Enabling School Counselors to Focus on Postsecondary Transitions

This NASBE policy update explores the ways state boards of education can address the challenges school counselors face and better support student transitions after high school.  

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Policy Update

Mental Health in Education

This policy update outlines challenges to delivering such services and ways states can leverage key provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to improve students’ chances for academic success by providing mental health services.

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Education Leaders Reports

School Surveillance: The Consequences for Equity and Privacy

School surveillance poses challenges for equity and student data privacy. The authors suggest six principles to guide state policymakers toward effective policies that balance these challenges with the school safety benefits.

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Policy Update

State Strategies for Summer Nutrition

Children with limited or uncertain access to meals experience more health-related behavioral and academic challenges than their peers. Federally funded summer nutrition programs are designed to ensure low-income students receive healthy meals all summer long. This policy update explains what state boards can do to expand the reach of summer nutrition programs.

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Policy Update

New Opportunities to Support Student Health under ESSA

This NASBE Policy Update explains how states can take advantage of ESSA’s provisions to more fully integrate health into education policy and practice.

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