Strategic Plan
NSBA continues to effectively advocate for sound federal public policy on issues facing public education and for local school governance. Our integrated approach in the legislative, legal, and public arenas shapes the debate about public education and advances sound policies that enhance public education.The governance role of school boards and the need for a strong and effective National School Boards Association, never has been greater given the need to support more than 50 million children obtaining their education in public schools. As the premier advocate for public education, NSBA is dedicated to:
- Leading the national conversation about public education.
- Confronting those who would seek to privatize or otherwise undermine the nation’s system of public schools.
- Proposing sound policies that ensure all students everywhere have access to a great public education where they live.
- Providing the services and support state school boards associations need to enhance the effectiveness of local school boards.
To achieve these important objectives, NSBA set the following goals for 2018 - 2021:
1) Solidify NSBA’s reputation as the leading advocate for public education in the legislative, legal and public arenas.
- Implementing efforts that enable NSBA to lead or have a significant influence on national debates on key public policy issues such as educational equity, excellence in education, school choice, the role of local school boards governance, school safety, and closing the skills gap.
- Taking a lead role in securing reauthorization and full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- Supporting efforts to ensure an accurate count for the 2020 Census.
2) Ensure state associations receive exceptional value and service.
- Regularly reviewing service offerings for relevancy and alignment with our mission.
- Providing timely and useful communications and resources to address emerging issues.
- Reviewing the governance calendar to promote effective decision-making while achieving cost efficiency.
3) Establish financial stability in order to accomplish the strategic direction and goals enumerated above.
- Building reserves to equal recommended six months of operating expenses.
- Further diversifying revenues through new income streams and creating value-added services for members.
- Eliminating the defined benefit pension liability, based on a board-approved Glidepath.
Resolutions
The resolutions enacted by the 2024 Delegate Assembly of the National School Boards Association which met on April 5, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana, originated from numerous school board sources throughout the United States, its territories, and possessions. Final debate and enactment of resolutions submitted are effected by the Delegate Assembly, which consists of local school board members from the various states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Learn more about the Resolutions of the National School Boards Association.
Beliefs
The public school boards of America, united in their school boards associations and members into the National School Boards Association and its National Connection participants, believe that:
- Education is a civil right.
- It is necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people.
- All students should have equal access to an education that maximizes their individual potential.
Please see the complete Beliefs of the National School Board Association, including information about:
- Control and support of public schools.
- Responsibilities of local school boards.
- Federal assistance to education.
- The educational program.
- Relationships with association members and school boards.
- Relationships with other groups.
Constitution and Bylaws
The Constitution and Bylaws of the National School Boards Association are the governing principles of the Association and were amended on April 5, 2024, by the Delegate Assembly at its meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.