Each state working towards dramatic change in education leadership policy and practice relies on collaborative support from key state policymakers, including the chief state school officer, governor, higher executive education official, members of the state board, and members of the legislature. To help facilitate this informed collaborative work, technical assistance is provided through a National Consortium (NC) of national education organizations.
The NC is comprised of the Council of Chief State School Officers, in partnership with the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Governors Association. The NC is uniquely positioned to do this work as they are individually and collectively linked to a diverse set of major state policymakers, decision makers, and educational researchers across America. Members from the NC are able to facilitate these interactions at the state level coupled with valuable information about these education issues from a national and cross-state perspective.
The NC was formed in 2001 and continues to work collectively in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five extra-state jurisdictions, to strengthen the capacity of education leaders to improve student learning.
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CONSORTIUM
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
CCSSO is a bipartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their view to civic, professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. For more information about this organization, please visit www.ccsso.org.
NC CCSSO Contacts
Lois Adams-Rodgers, 202-312-6435, loisar@ccsso.org
Melissa Zack Johnston, 202-326-8697, melissaj@ccsso.org
National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
The National Association of State Boards of Education is the only national organization giving voice to the nation's State Boards of Education. As a professional association of state board members from America’s state and territorial boards of education, NASBE’s membership represents 84% of the more than 50 million K-12 students enrolled in public education in the United States. As a nonprofit organization founded in 1958, it works to strengthen state leadership in educational policymaking, promote excellence in the education of all students, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, and assure continued citizen support for public education. For more information about this organization, please visit www.nasbe.org.
NC NASBE Contacts
Brenda Welburn, 703-684-4000 ext. 112, brendaw@nasbe.org
Mariana Haynes, 703-684-4000 ext. 122, marianah@nasbe.org
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
NCSL is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization, serving the 7,635 elected state legislators and approximately 40,000 legislative staff in the 50 states and territories. NCSL is a prime source of information on state policy issues and state-federal relations. NCSL provides research, publications, and the opportunity for policymakers to exchange ideas and communicate with each other on the most pressing problems facing the states. For more information about this organization, please visit www.ncsl.org.
NC NCSL Contacts
Julie Bell, 303-364-7700 ext. 1351, julie.bell@ncsl.org
Sara Vitaska, 303-856-1647, sara.vitaska@ncsl.org
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA)
The NGA Center for Best Practices helps the nation’s governors and their key policy staff develop and implement innovative solutions to challenge facing their states. Through the staff of the NGA Center, governors and their policy advisors can quickly learn about what works, obtain assistance, and receive up-to-date comprehensive information. For more information about this organization, please visit www.nga.org.
NC NGA Contact
Dane Linn, 202-624-3629, dlinn@nga.org
Michael Hartney, 202-624-7820, mhartney@nga.org
