Sunday, Feb. 2 | Noon – 2 p.m.

Ten Feet Tall: Amplify Your Voice to Enact Change
Get ready to transform your outlook and watch the world around you shift one person at a time. The Ten Feet Tall mindset equips everyone with the tools to amplify their gifts, drive meaningful change, and create a life overflowing with potential. In this empowering keynote, Brandon Farbstein will show you how to develop a Ten Feet Tall mindset by shattering limiting beliefs to increase resiliency during everyday life stressors. He will also help you understand and prioritize the bigger picture and step into the fullest version of yourself. Join us in connecting these transformative concepts and your advocacy and equity efforts, and discover how you can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world.

Speaker:
Brandon Farbstein, Global Empowerment Speaker

Monday, Feb. 3 | 8:30 – 10:15 a.m.

How U.S. Public Schools Can Survive and Thrive in a School Market Economy: Lessons from the International Community
As the landscape of public education in the United States continues to evolve, school board members and education leaders play a critical role in ensuring public schools remain vital, equitable, and competitive. In this session, attendees will explore how public schools can not only survive but thrive in an increasingly market-driven education system by learning from innovative practices and strategies employed by the international school community.

Drawing on global examples, this presentation will examine how schools in diverse contexts adapt to meet the needs of all students and succeed in competitive educational environments. By identifying lessons from international models, participants will discover actionable strategies to strengthen U.S. public schools and advocate for their essential role in our communities.

This session is designed to inspire and empower education leaders to champion bold, equity-centered leadership and advocacy, ensuring the future of public education remains strong, resilient, and accessible to every child.

Speaker:
Robert Kelty, Head of Outreach, Government Relations, and Development, International Baccalaureate, North America

Monday, Feb. 3 | 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

The Importance of Civic Engagement: Never Stand on the Sidelines
Civic engagement is more than a responsibility; it’s a powerful force that transforms communities and fuels positive change. This keynote will inspire you to embrace your role as an active participant in shaping society. Through stories of impact, practical ways to get involved, and a renewed call to action, you’ll be reminded that change doesn’t come from the sidelines—it comes from those willing to step up and make a difference. Join us as we explore how even small actions can ripple into larger movements and ignite a culture where no one stands on the sidelines. The future depends on each of us!

Speaker:
Holly Robinson Peete, Actress, Author, Activist, and Philanthropist

Read Speaker Bios

Sunday, Feb. 2 | 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Opportunities to Advance and Fund Equitable School Health Services Through Medicaid
How can schools fund more school health services, including mental health and behavioral health, to support student well-being and advance equity? States and schools can leverage Medicaid to increase school health services. Yet, many states and districts are not taking up this opportunity —  leaving money on the table. In this session, we will share how different states and districts are implementing the school Medicaid program to increase funding and support the needs of under-resourced students. The session will discuss how school board members and education leaders can get involved and advocate for more states and school districts to take action. In addition, we will share why recent legislative and regulatory changes make this an especially important moment, as well as the steps ahead to ensure school health services are inclusive of all students.  

In this session, participants will be provided with:

• Enhanced understanding of why consistent school health services can reduce disparities and advance equity.
• An overview of how the school Medicaid program operates and the status of school Medicaid expansions across states.
• An overview of current state and school district opportunities to expand school Medicaid.
• Identify ways that school board members, education leaders, and other key stakeholders can get involved and engage. 
• Additional actions needed so that school health services, including those that are Medicaid-funded, are culturally and linguistically responsive and advance equity.

Presenter:
Lena O'Rourke, Consultant, Healthy Schools Campaign

Resource Equity in Advocacy: Becoming a Resource Equity Champion in Your Community
There’s no denying that money matters in education. However, districts must not only consider “how much” money is available but also “how well” that money is being used to leverage available resources. To best meet the unique needs of every student, especially students from systemically marginalized groups, districts have a responsibility to distribute resources equitably across and within schools, and advocates and policymakers, including school board members, play a crucial role in ensuring this happens. This session will focus on how school board members and education leaders can utilize advocacy to ensure their district allocates the combination of resources that gives each student, especially students from marginalized groups, a fair shot at success while holding high expectations for all students.

Participants will learn why resource equity matters in advocacy and how to use the comprehensive Alliance for Resource Equity (ARE) framework and toolkit to start conversations, create shared understandings, and build action plans. The session will provide an overview of the suite of resources that school board members and leaders can use to understand the state of equity and excellence in their schools, analyze their local data, consider root causes, pinpoint relevant actions, identify appropriate decision-makers, and develop an impactful message to help drive their advocacy efforts. This session will also provide hands-on experience with the ARE tools by working with their peers to analyze sample district data.

Presenters:
Nicholas Munyan-Penney, Assistant Director of P-12 Policy, EdTrust
Shayna Levitan, P-12 Policy Analyst, EdTrust

Advancing Student Leadership & Representation Through Student Voice on School Boards
By involving students in the highest levels of decision-making, we take a crucial step toward creating an inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Student board members bring a unique perspective to decision-making processes, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by their peers. This session explores how student board members can be empowered to lead alongside educators and policymakers, helping to eliminate barriers to equity in education. By integrating students into the leadership framework, we can create policies and practices that truly reflect the needs of all students and foster a more inclusive and representative educational environment. Join us to explore how:

• You can advocate for student voice in your school board in partnership with students, including through student advisory councils, student surveys, and more.
• Students on school boards represent their peers and work across generations to improve education systems.
• The National Student Board Member Association can support you and your students to uplift student voice and promote youth participation in educational decision-making.

Presenters:
George-Constantinos Charonis, Executive Director, National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA)
Ugonma Chike-Kalu, National Policy Director, National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA), Student School Board Member, Baltimore County Public Schools (MD)
Khoa Ta, Southeast Regional Strategy Coordinator, National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA), Student Board Member, Owensboro Independent School District (KY)

Sunday, Feb. 2 | 4 – 5:15 p.m.

Legal Updates from the National School Boards Association
In this session, NSBA’s legal team will provide an update on the most recent changes from the U.S. Supreme Court’s last term and changes in federal law and federal agency rules. Among other things, the team will address Supreme Court holdings in Muldrow; the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the accompanying changes in Title IX and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in relation to the PWFA; Title IX; the new FLSA rule that relates to overtime for highly compensated individuals and recent court action regarding that rule; and the change in the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding website accessibility. 

Presenters:
Tammy Carter, Senior Director of Legal Services and NSBA Governance, National School Boards Association (NSBA)
Jordan Cooper, Senior Staff Attorney, National School Boards Association (NSBA)

Civic Learning as a Pathway to Equity: The Essential Role of School Boards
The majority of Americans, across demographics and political divides, support teaching a full, inclusive history of the United States. To create a more equitable society, all young people must have access to civic education that embraces diverse perspectives and fosters curiosity, connection, and joy. As the most diverse generation in our nation's history, today’s students need learning opportunities that reflect civic honesty and inspire reflective patriotism. School boards have an incredibly important role to play in broadening support for civic education and implementing stronger civic education programs in their districts. In this session, we will explore how school boards can advocate for and implement high-quality civic education programs that engage students, empower communities, and ensure equitable outcomes for all.

In this session participants will:

• Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and state of civic learning nationally and across states and specific subgroup populations.
• Understand polling and messaging on how to communicate the importance of civic learning across racial, ethnic, and political divides.
• Learn about the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap and the language and structure it provides to help navigate civic honesty and reflective patriotism.
• Explore local policies so your school board can advocate for high-quality civic learning to support equity and access. 

Presenter:
Ace Parsi, Director of Coalition Engagement, ICivics

Monday, Feb. 3 | 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

AI and Education: A Roadmap for School Board Leaders 
This session will provide school board leaders with an overview of the key issues surrounding AI in education. You'll gain insights into the benefits and challenges, as well as best practices for setting a clear vision and supporting effective policies. We’ll dive into resources from TeachAI and Code.org to ground our conversation. 

By the end of this session, you will be equipped to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of AI and its applications in education.
• Identify potential benefits and risks associated with AI in the classroom.
• Develop a strategic vision for AI implementation in your district.
• Advocate for policies that support responsible and ethical use of AI.
• Collaborate with educators and stakeholders to create a future-ready learning environment.

Presenter:
Sean Roberts, Vice President of U.S. Strategy, Code.org

From Research to Results: Advancing Math Access for Equitable Student Success
This session will explore how collaborations with the E3 Alliance and National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) supported Central Texas school districts in driving equity in advanced math access through action research. This workshop will highlight a transformative approach where feedback from students and parents, data analysis, and root-cause exploration led to impactful shifts in district policies and practices. It also will discuss the journey from classroom changes to policy development and how advocacy efforts culminated in Texas Senate Bill 2124 to increase math access for all students. Through this case study, attendees will gain insights into how action research can support advocacy efforts and shape policy for lasting student success for all students.

Presenters:
Brittany Brady, Ed.M., CAP®, CEO, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE)
Kimberly Rowe, Director of Academics - Secondary, Round Rock ISD (TX)
Heather Salaz, Director of Strong Foundations, E3 Alliance

Prioritizing and Advocating for Evidence-Based Policies to Engage Each and Every Family in Your Community
Closing the persistent and inequitable achievement gaps that plague our schools compels us to move beyond our assumptions about the way education should be delivered to our nation’s children. The past decade has seen a rise in advocacy for evidence-based policies and practices, spurred in part by federal guidance within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and brought to more recent focus with the science of reading.  In this session, participants will learn about Evidence for ESSA, an initiative to catalog and evaluate the effectiveness of thousands of interventions used in schools today to advocate for the effective allocation of limited funds in their local context to drive student success. More so, this session will challenge participants to reflect on the purpose of family engagement in light of its potential to address educational inequities. How can we implement and advocate for educational investments that treat each and every family member as a valued partner in their child’s education AND have an impact? National PTA also will share how school boards can embrace and advocate for a more rigorous approach to family engagement that drives equitable student learning and well-being outcomes using a free new tool to find proven programs that drive meaningful changes in communities by strengthening family-school partnerships.   

Presenters:
Helen Westmoreland, Director, Family Engagement, National PTA
Dr. Amanda Neitzel, Deputy Director of Evidence Research, Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University

Monday, Feb. 3 | 2:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Addressing Poor Indoor Air Quality to Boost Academic Success for Low-Income Students of Color
Why are low-income students of color disproportionately affected by poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in their schools? Children in underserved communities, including communities of color, low-income areas, and Tribal populations, as well as children with disabilities, are often exposed to higher levels of environmental contaminants in the places they live, learn, and play. In schools, these inequities manifest as classrooms with pest problems, legacy toxins, inadequate heating and cooling, and poor air quality, which contribute to health disparities and hinder educational achievement.

This session will equip school board members and education leaders to address these challenges, even when budgets are tight. Participants will learn practical, low- or no-cost strategies to improve IAQ and enhance student and staff well-being. Experts, including representatives from the EPA, will provide proven tools and resources that can be adapted for use in any district, regardless of economic circumstances. Participants will gain an understanding of how indoor air quality directly impacts student health and academic success, gaining insights into leveraging EPA resources and strategies to advocate for and implement equitable improvements in school environments.

Presenters:
Jill Buck, Founder & CEO, Go Green Initiative
Sheila Brown, Indoor Environments Division, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Bridging Equity and Advocacy: Integrating Community Voices in Local Policymaking 
Join us for an engaging and interactive session that explores the intersection of equity and advocacy within local policymaking spaces. We will begin with an introduction to the American Institute for Research (AIR) Opportunity Fund, which supports programs that expand access to quality learning, close achievement gaps, and create opportunities for all students to thrive. This session will highlight the impactful work of the Bridges Collaborative Study and the Equitable Collaboration Project, both funded by the AIR Opportunity Fund, which aim to elevate community voices and develop best practices for integration initiatives.

Participants will engage in dynamic discussions prompted by lessons learned from these pioneering projects. The session will feature interactive activities, including small group discussions and breakout sessions, where attendees will explore how these insights resonate with their own community work. We will share examples of successful integration efforts from other school districts, emphasizing the crucial role of school boards and leaders in supporting these initiatives. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss their district's future directions, identify necessary tools and resources, and explore ways to leverage policy and budgeting to support integration efforts. This session aims to foster knowledge exchange and generate new insights among peers through interactive discussions and resource sharing. 

Presenters:
Terris Ross, Managing Director, AIR Opportunity Fund 
Megan Sambolt, Principal Researcher, Bridges Collaborative Continuous Learning Study 
Gislene Tasayco, Technical Assistance Consultant, Equitable Collaboration Project 

Request for refunds of the conference registration fee (minus a $75 service fee) can be honored only if made in writing to NSBA at info@nsba.org by Thursday, January 9, 2025. No refunds will be honored after that time.

Please feel free to email us at info@nsba.org with any questions you may have regarding your Advocacy & Equity Institute registration.

Headquarter Hotel: Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
901 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001

You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing in the NSBA hotel block. NSBA has negotiated a special rate for conference attendees. Booking information will be provided in the registration confirmation email. All reservations should be made before Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Taxicabs & Ride Sharing
Taxicabs and Ride Sharing, such as Uber and Lyft offer transportation services to passengers arriving to and departing from the airport. Download the ride sharing app of your choice and book in advance to ensure availability. Approximate rates for taxicabs and ridesharing from the nearest airports can be found below.

• From Reagan National Airport to downtown, fares are approximately $25.00.
• From Dulles National Airport, fares are approximately $65.00.
• From Baltimore Washington International Airport, fares are approximately $79.00

DC Metro System
DC Metro System serves the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. The Mt Vernon Sq./7th St-Convention Center Station on the Green and Yellow Lines is the closest (0.2 miles) Metro Station to the hotel.

Hotel Parking
Valet parking is available at the Marriott Marquis DC hotel at $65 per day.

Proof of vaccination status or a negative test result is not required to attend NSBA events. Attendees who are not vaccinated are asked to take an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test before traveling to the event and should not attend if they test positive or have COVID-19 symptoms. NSBA does not require proof of these measures but encourages attendees to act responsibly and with consideration for the health and safety of others. Mask wearing is not required.