Past Issues
2024 Issues
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February
LEADERSHIP
Leadership Matters: Governing and Leading in 2024
School boards don’t lead in a vacuum. NSBA offers several opportunities for school board members to come together in national forums to learn and exchange ideas, such as January’s Equity Symposium and Advocacy Institute, writes NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana Jacobs-McCotter.President’s Perspective: Board Governance Takes Training and Practice
The leadership we typically learn about emphasizes a solo approach—think Captain Kirk or Captain Picard—says NSBA President Kristi Swett. School board decision-making authority, however, comes from the entire group, and that leadership involves collaboration and consensus building.FEATURES
A Seat at the Board Table
Serving on school boards gives students a voice in their schooling and helps school leaders to better understand and support them.Rapper and actor Ice-T offers his story of overcoming adversity to urban board members at the CUBE Annual Conference.
13 Mistakes Board Members MakeEnsure that you and your board colleagues aren’t making these common board service errors.
The School Board as Servant-LeaderThe school board not only leads but it also serves and is responsible to others at multiple levels.
State Member Spotlight: Model Board GovernanceIndiana’s strategic plan provides practical governance applications for all school boards.
TRENDS
Book Review: How Schools Meet Students’ Needs — Inequality, School Reform, and Caring Labor
Q&A with 2024 National Secondary Principal of the Year Andy Farley
URBAN ADVOCATEThe Ferguson-Florissant School Board received the 2023 Award for Urban School Excellence from NSBA’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE).
A Lifesaver and a Guiding LightDr. Jonathan Hodges, a former school board commissioner for New Jersey’s Paterson Public Schools, received the 2023 Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the NSBA’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE).
Chairman’s Column: Building Strong FoundationsA brighter, more sustainable future for urban schools requires a triad of advocacy, executive leadership, and governance, writes CUBE Chair Gill Garrett.
SOUNDBOARDCommunications: Communications Leaders
Districts are reaping benefits as they grow their communications staff and capacity.
Research: The Value of In-Person Connection and CommunicationArtificial intelligence and social media can keep students from developing authentic relationships.
Equity: Making School a Safe Place for All StudentsFour core principles can guide educators in supporting trans and non-binary students.
ONLINE ONLYSchool Boards Could be the Catalyst for Achievement Gains
2023 Issues
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December
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: What school boards need to know about school safety
December’s issue on K-12 campus security is essential for school boards given their primary responsibility for school safety, writes Publisher Renée Joe.
Leadership Matters: We refuse to give up on what we know is right
One of the most powerful aspects of this fall’s Council of Urban Boards of Education Conference was the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that permeated the event, says NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana Jacobs-McCotter.
President’s Perspective: Multilayered approach to school safety
Ensuring a safe and secure school environment requires a comprehensive approach that involves planning, training, coordination, and communications, explains NSBA President Kristi Swett.
FEATURES
A Michigan school district supports students through community trauma with services and relationships
Districts are turning to artificial intelligence measures for school safety and security efforts
Strategic School Safety Leaders
Simplify complex school safety issues by identifying what is most important
Student-Driven Learning in Vermont
The Harwood Harkness Initiative places students at the center of the educational process
TRENDS
Book Review: The Middle of Somewhere — Rural Education Partnerships and Innovation
Q&A with school safety activist Max Schachter
URBAN ADVOCATE
Chairman’s Column: We are the leaders of leaders
In his State of the Urban Education address, CUBE Chair Gill Garrett insists that education leaders must ensure that all children, regardless of zip code, language, or ability, have access to a quality education.
SOUNDBOARD
Communications: “Big Picture” Focus
Communications audits can reveal what’s going well and what needs improvement in district communications efforts
Research: Students in Rural Public Schools — By the Numbers
Rural students, families, and communities deserve a voice in policymaking decisions and an investment in infrastructure
Equity: Emergency Preparedness and Students with Disabilities
It’s important to understand and plan for the often-complex needs of students with disabilities during emergencies
School Law: Displays and Plays to Mark the Holidays
Recent Supreme Court rulings suggest the church-state wall of separation may be thinning
ONLINE ONLY
Going Rogue: When board members won’t leave their egos at the door
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October
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: Back to school and mental health
Gone are the days when mental health matters were disregarded as unrelated to the responsibilities of educators and the school community, writes Publisher Renée Joe in this issue of ASBJ.
Leadership Matters: A powerful force for good
NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana Jacobs-McCotter discusses NSBA’s federal advocacy priorities for the upcoming year. NSBA's extensive federal advocacy experience and ability to form partnerships with other national education advocacy groups will be needed to advance these important issues.
President’s Perspective: Tell us your stories of change and innovation
Sharing the story of innovation and hard work that teachers and administrators do every day to ensure that our students learn and thrive is crucial to public school success, says NSBA President Kristi Swett.FEATURES
Districts create partnerships to provide needed mental health services to their students.
Democracy in Action
School districts must function as democratic institutions to preserve American ideals of democracy.
Storytelling for School Leaders
School board members can tell stories to connect and gain support for their districts and for public education.
Diversity is Dead. Long Live DiversityWhat the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on diversity means for K-12.
TRENDS
NSBA News: Leadership Updates; ASBJ wins Gold and Silver EXCEL Awards
Book Review: The Shift to Student-Led
Q&A: With 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka PetersonURBAN ADVOCATE
Congratulations to Our CUBE Award Winners
Missouri’s Ferguson-Florissant School Board is the recipient of the 2023 CUBE Annual Award for Urban School Board Excellence, and Dr. Jonathan Hodges of New Jersey’s Paterson Board of Education is the recipient of the 2023 Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award.
Transformation and Innovation — Public Schools Prepare for a Back-to-School Renaissance
Gill Garrett, chair of the CUBE Steering Committee, outlines ways urban school districts are committing to a transformative new school year.
SOUNDBOARD
Communications: Comm Camp
Arizona school district administrators gather for one full day to focus on communications.
Research: Social Media and Student Mental Health
Internet use impacts students’ mental health, leading to calls for policy and regulations.
Equity: Radical Care in Post-Pandemic Schools
Challenging school structures that reproduce inequality.
ONLINE ONLY
Teacher Shortages: It is time to provide solutions, not just some current facts!
A Collaborative Plan for New Board Member Orientation -
August
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: Small school challenges
Addressing issues caused by post-pandemic declining enrollment and an aging population, supporting board development, and the upcoming CUBE Conference are among the topics that Publisher Renée Joe highlights in this issue of ASBJ.
Leadership Matters: Meeting our challenges head-on
New NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs knows firsthand the challenges and the deep satisfaction that comes with being a school board member.
President’s Perspective: Innovation takes flight
School board members are, by nature, problem-solvers, says NSBA President Kristi Swett: “Many of us ran for the school board because we saw issues and wanted to be part of the solution.”
FEATURES
Post-pandemic declining enrollment and demographic changes pose particular challenges for small and rural districts.
A Practical Approach to Data Protection
Review your data policies as we enter a new era of data policies.
Swearing in a new school board member? Use the opportunity to renew the whole board’s commitments.
The True ABCs of School Board Service
Moving from a focus on athletics, band, and cheerleaders to administration, budgets, and curriculum can help lay the foundation for a strong school board.
TRENDS
NSBA News: McCotter-Jacobs Appointed Executive Director and CEO
Newsmaker: Asian American Stories of Resistance and Joy
Book Review: The Buying and Selling of American Education
Q&A: With Educational Leadership Researcher Raymond Lauk
URBAN ADVOCATE
Preview the CUBE (Council of Urban Boards of Education) 2023 Annual Conference, Sept. 14-16, in Chicago.
High-Quality Facilities Provide Environments for Every Student to Use and Enjoy as They Grow
School facilities that are safe, adaptable, sustainable, and equipped with technological upgrades are integral to providing students with the highest quality education possible, writes Gill Garrett, chair of the CUBE Steering Committee.
SOUNDBOARD
Communications: Make Your School District Better
A California CCO provides resources for other comms professionals looking to do more with less.
Research: Underperforming in History
History and civics results show students need critical thinking and analytical skills.
Equity: See All of Your Students
The student mental health crisis demands immediate attention.
ONLINE ONLY
How a First-Time Principal Led Systemic Change Despite a Pandemic: A guide for new administrators
Construction Management as an Extension of Learning Environments
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June
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: Opportunities to convene and learn
Artificial Intelligence and schools, the rural teacher shortage, and the upcoming CUBE Annual Conference are among the topics that Publisher Renée Joe highlights in this issue of ASBJ.
Leadership Matters: Me and my ChatBot: What does the future hold?
When NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim turns to an Artificial Intelligence-driven chatbot for writing assistance, he’s left with a few choice words.
President’s Perspective: School leaders are mission control
New NSBA President Kristi Swett introduces herself and her passion for NASA’s space program, school and community engagement, and the future of NSBA.
FEATURES
School staffing shortages are even more severe in rural areas, where district leaders must come up with creative solutions to attract teachers.
Six (Not So) Simple Rules for School Board Success
The right beliefs, values, and attitudes help boards govern effectively.
Artificial Intelligence ‘Brings Problems to Wrestle With, Opportunities to Address'
AI pioneer Adam Cheyer urges school boards to gather information and create policies for the coming wave of technology.
Book Review: The New Classroom Instruction That Works
Q&A: Jenna Bush Hager, Annual Conference Keynote Speaker
Annual Conference Highlights: A look back at NSBA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition
URBAN ADVOCATE
A vital role in educational excellence
An educated and informed school board is essential to the formation of an excellent public education system, says CUBE Steering Committee Chair Gill Garrett.
SOUNDBOARD
Communications: Engagement Campaign
A Minnesota district gets communication support to pass a levy.
Research: Intelligent Machines
Artificial intelligence applications are already at work in K-12 education.
The use of Native American team names and mascots continues to pose legal issues for public schools.
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April
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: Honoring creativity
Magna Awards, student mental health, and project-based learning are among the issues that Publisher Renée Joe highlights in this edition of ASBJ.
Leadership Matters: Everything old is new again
Education practices, like jean styles, swing in and out of favor, writes NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim. Returning curriculum development and approval to the local level is a welcome reappearance, he says.
President’s Perspective: Every student matters
In his final column as NSBA President, Frank Henderson Jr., reflects on the roots of his passion for public education.
FEATURES
2023 Magna Awards: Grand Prize Winners
Three school districts awarded top prizes for innovation and creativity in solving a district challenge.
2023 Magna Awards: Silver Award Winners and Honorable Mentions
Fifteen districts recognized for innovation and creativity in solving a district challenge.
Rural schools overcome stigma and lack of access to bring mental health services to their students.
Iowa high school program study shows project-based learning teaches students essential life skills
The First Amendment and Public Schools
The wall of separation between church and state: Lessons from the Supreme Court’s 2021 term.
Book Review: Teaching Machines
The history of personalized learning
Q&A: National Rural Teacher of the Year Ty White
Rural schools share many common challenges with urban and suburban schools, including students’ increasing need for social and emotional supports, says Ty White, who is both the National Rural Teacher of the Year and the Arizona Teacher of the Year.
URBAN ADVOCATE
Doing the Work: New CUBE steering committee chair brings unique perspective to his role
Gill Garrett, chair of Michigan’s Pontiac School District Board of Education and chair of the CUBE Steering Committee, is steadfast in his support of urban school board leadership.
SOUNDBOARD
Communications: Marketing as a Force for Good
Founder of the ‘Make It Movement’ wants to help students who aren’t college-bound.
Research: Culture-based STEM for Native Students
Rethinking math instruction to combat low achievement scores.
Equity: The Yellow School Bus Goes Electric
Electric buses can solve equity and environmental issues.
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February
LEADERSHIP
Opening Bell: Facets of school board leadership
Publisher Renée Joe introduces this issue of ASBJ and its focus on school board leadership and governance.
Leadership Matters: The purest form of representative democracy
While governance based upon democracy may be messy, it can be made less so with good processes and policies, writes NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim.
President’s Perspective: Help parents understand school boards
Parents who understand the governance processes of the school board and who feel heard can become powerful allies, writes NSBA’s 2022-2023 President Frank Henderson Jr.
FEATURES
Achievement, Culture, and What Comes Next What Comes Next
When school boards and superintendents focus on these three areas, it’s likely they and their students are doing well.
Asking for better evidence can improve how school leaders govern.
The Three-Legged Stool of Board Leadership
School boards must balance responsibility, authority, and accountability to be successful in their governance roles.
Standards for Family Engagement
Strengthen your board’s relationships with the PTA’s updated National Standards for Family-School Partnerships.
Maker movement brings collaboration spaces to schools.
Book Review: American Education
The 20th edition of this valuable book provides an updated examination of the historical, political, and social issues impacting education in America today.
Q&A: Mass. State Senator and former school board member Jake Oliveira
Oliveira emphasizes relationship-building to advance public education priorities.
URBAN ADVOCATE
Joyce Wilkerson, a Philadelphia school board member and tireless advocate for education, receives the CUBE Lifetime Achievement Award.
Governance: A mechanism for education as reparations
Board members must ensure that their collective governance role is harnessed effectively to foster positive outcomes for all students, writes outgoing CUBE Steering Committee Chair Micah Ali.
SOUNDBOARD
COMMUNICATIONS: Chasing Ghosts
Fake social media accounts and misinformation plague school districts.
RESEARCH: Equal Access to Reading Materials
New assistive technologies can help students with reading challenges.
School leaders can reengage disconnected youth for a better future.
2022 Issues
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December
Leadership
Opening Bell: Foster safe schools
Publisher Renée Joe introduces this issue of ASBJ and its focus on school safety and security.
Leadership Matters: Err on the side of caution
NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim emphasizes that working with parents and other community members is key to designing and implementing school safety measures.
President’s Perspective: Climate counts
Putting policies in place that improve school climate and strengthen relationships will make schools safer places to work and to learn, writes NSBA’s 2022-2023 President Frank Henderson Jr.
Features
Following a 2018 school shooting, the school community in Santa Fe, Texas, perseveres, guided by “a genuine desire and conscious effort to heal.”
Planning for Tragedy: Advice for school leaders on fostering safer schools
An excerpt from NSBA’s newly updated Fostering Safer Schools: A Legal Guide for School Board Members on School Safety highlights lessons learned from the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.Your school system could be the target of a cyberattack. So could you. There are steps that you can take to reduce those risks.
Models of Instruction: Student-centered learning can help them succeed
Reforming the legacy approach to instruction puts students on a path to uplift themselves.
Book Review: Cultivating Genius
A new framework for literacy education aims to help teachers cultivate the genius within students and within themselves.
Q&A: School Security expert Kenneth Trump
Don’t ignore training, communications, awareness, and other human factors to keep schools safe, says a veteran safety consultant.
Urban Advocate
Washington’s Seattle Public Schools is committed to advancing an equitable and anti-racist learning environment. The district’s efforts are recognized with the 2022 CUBE award.
Enhancing School Safety by Embracing Education as Reparations
For students to reach their full potential, urban education leaders must examine the impact of school funding structures on repairing trauma and environmental harm, writes CUBE Steering Committee Chair Micah Ali.
Soundboard
Communications: Are the Kids OK?
Schools must double down on efforts to communicate about safety actions implemented to protect students and staff.
Research: Quality Education with Limited Resources
Lack of access to resources and professional training continues to challenge teachers in rural schools.
Online Only
On 1619 and Other School Culture Wars: A case for pluralism, and accuracy
Stakeholder-Driven Strategic Planning to Build Community Consensus and Trust
Pandemic Learning Loss Can Derail a Student for Life — And We All Pay the Price
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October
Leaderboard
Intro: Where the magic happens
Publisher Renée Joe previews this issue of ASBJ and its focus on education innovation.
Leadership Matters: The flavors in the middle
School boards, like ice cream vendors, understand that most customers have a taste for more than just binary choices of only this or only that, says NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim. He contends that many public school constituents find having a range of options quite appealing.
President's Perspective: Innovative school leaders
Supporting a climate of innovation and creativity is vital to the health of public education, writes NSBA’s 2022-2023 President Frank Henderson Jr.Features
The Great Reset: Districts are using pandemic lessons to redesign and reinvent how schools operate
School systems that look as they did 20 years ago fail to prepare students for the talent pipeline this economy needs.
No More Status Quo: We need creative solutions to attract and retain teachers
As the private sector increases employee flexibility and benefits, districts must work to keep up.
Vying for Attention: Student cellphone use soared during the pandemic
Clear expectations for smartphone access and use in school minimizes distractions and fosters good digital citizenship.
Elements of Success: Curriculum-focused professional learning strategies for school transformation
“The Elements” offer a framework that reinforces the power of high-quality curriculum and skillful teaching.
Place, Pace, and Voice: Innovative scheduling provides opportunities for Wyoming high school students
A Magna Award-winning program allows teachers time for specialized, small group, and individual student support.
Book Review: Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education
Given the adjustments made to accommodate distance learning during the COVID-19 era, this book is especially critical and timely.
Q&A: Jean Mendoza and Debbie ReeseAn encore interview with the authors of An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People, an adaptation of Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s award-winning history book.
Urban Advocate
Rethink PE: Inequities in physical education hurt Black students
Researchers advocate for physical education programs that are more “inclusive, supportive, and empathetic.”
Ripe for Innovation: Education as Reparations
We in education must shift our mindset to correcting a system that has failed Black children and parents, writes CUBE Steering Committee Chair Micah Ali.Soundboard
Communications: Mending Disconnects
Lack of trust breeds disrespect, and these attitudes must be corrected for schools and communities to thrive.
Research: Teacher Shortage
The National Labor Management Partnership (NLMP) guidebook highlights models that improve educational outcomes by increasing shared decision-making among all stakeholders.
Equity: More Hope Than Fear
Research shows that students with disabilities have more assets than deficits, more potential than challenges.
School Law: The Value of Legal Compliance
As school leaders consider how to use the law to support their educational mission, they should keep in mind the discretion they have within the law. -
August
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Save money, save the planet
Editor Kathleen Vail previews this issue of the ASBJ, highlighting a focus on sustainability.Leadership Matters: Environment is essential to the learning process
NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim reflects on the inequities that form as school buildings age.President’s Perspective: Partners in education
NSBA’s 2022-2023 President Frank Henderson Jr. speaks to the necessity for transparency and bidirectional engagement between school boards, district parents, and the community.
Features
Playground Power: Initiative brings green spaces to urban schoolyards
Investing in schoolyards may improve academic outcomes like test scores while decreasing poor behavior, all while providing more recreation outlets for underserved students.Let the Sun Shine In: Solar power saves money on soaring fuel costs
Solar panels are replacing insufficient, antiquated energy systems and offering Wi-Fi solutions for communities.
10 Tips for Eco-Friendly Facilities: Update your plans with new practices and technologies
Sustainable buildings do more than work to combat climate change. They also can improve the health and well-being of the community and save money.Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint: Local solutions can mitigate climate change
Large infrastructure changes can be costly and daunting, but luckily there are ways to reduce your footprint incrementally.
The Case of the Profane Cheerleader: The lessons of Mahanoy and student speech
Steps districts take now can help them adequately respond to future instances of disruptive off-campus online speech.Why I Serve: School board members tell their stories
The desire to serve students and their communities stands out as the common goal.
NSBA’s 2021 Year in Review
An unyielding commitment to excellent and equitable education for every public school student, prioritizing local control, remaining nonpartisan, and recognizing the importance of parental and community involvement underscore NSBA’s 2021 State of the Association.
Newsmaker: Supporting mental health and students with disabilities
Students with disabilities and those with mental health challenges need extra support as communities recover from the pandemic.
Book Review: Districts That Succeed
A review of Karin Chenoweth’s book, Districts That Succeed, examines its message to divorce income and race as sole determinants of academic success.
Q&A: School facilities advocate
Outdated or otherwise inadequate school buildings foster poor learning outcomes. Learn how the National Council on School Facilities is working to improve conditions for the education taking place within those buildings.Urban Advocate
Beacons of Urban Excellence: Successful school characteristics help every student succeed
Some schools are serving as beacons for others grappling with the challenges of urban education. Takeaways from their success show an emphasis on leadership, culture, curriculum, and instruction.
Leveraging Innovations to Reimagine Education
Taking advantage of unique—yet challenging—opportunities is essential to achieving the goal of educational equity, urges Micah Ali, chair of the CUBE Steering Committee and president of California’s Compton Unified School District.Soundboard
Communications: The Pulse of the Community
Sound communication requires two-way input from parents and schools alike. One superintendent prioritized communication in his approach, adding staff and leveraging social media to both reach and solicit feedback from families.
Research: Prioritize Play
The pandemic required that schools make creative interventions to meet students’ academic needs. Research shows that students also could holistically benefit from investment in their physical activity levels.
Equity: Equity-Based Board Practices
From data-based decision-making to aligning goals and budgets, these recommendations can help school boards make their communities more equitable. -
June
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Two years after
ASBJ Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail provides an overview of this month's issue.
Leadership Matters: Challenges we all share
NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim emphasizes NSBA’s focus on the common challenges shared by all school boards.
President’s Perspective: We are unstoppable
NSBA 2022-23 President Frank Henderson sees strength in unifying around issues that directly impact children’s education.
Features
Vital Connections: Lack of internet access hits rural schools and communities
In communities like Anadarko, Oklahoma, the lack of broadband infrastructure has only exacerbated long-standing issues faced by Native American students in rural communities.
Mental Health to the Forefront
Oklahoma students open up about their mental-wellness challenges
Funding for Broadband: Tips for getting the most out of federal connectivity aid
A roundup of federal broadband funding targeting the homework gap.
Homework Gap Insights: Kajeet’s Homework Gap Grant applications reveal recent trends
Accurately determining connectivity needs, tracking progress, ensuring mobile connectivity options, and accessing funding sources are among high priorities cited by schools and districts working to close education's digital divide.
The Penguin Project: Inclusive theater program creates a sense of belonging
A 2022 Magna Award Silver Prize winner excels with a program that puts special needs students center stage.
Newsmaker: The inclusion of Asian American studies in schools becomes a reality
As violence against Asian Americans grows, the need for schools to provide an accurate, representative, and inclusive account of the Asian American community becomes more important than ever.
Book review: Permission to Feel
By learning to “identify, express, and harness our feelings, even the most challenging ones, we can use those emotions to help us create positive, satisfying lives,” says Marc Brackett's best-selling book, Permission to Feel.
Q&A: Daymond John, the ‘People’s Shark,’ on education lessons learned
ABC’s “Shark Tank” investor and NSBA Annual Conference keynote speaker Daymond John recalls the importance of a high school 'co-op' program and teachers who showed patience and support.
Soundboard
The heightened politicization of education has been unfortunate for everyone, says Marques Ivey, a County Court judge who previously served as a local school board member and as a National PTA leader.
Industry 4.0: Help prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Current high school curricula lag behind the technological advances of the newest industrial revolution and its need for workers prepared to work with higher levels of automation, intelligent systems, and big data.
Engaging Children with an Open Heart: Time to challenge conventional norms to help students
Equity reform requires innovation as well as a back-to-basics understanding of what humans need to become the best versions of themselves.
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April
Leaderboard
From the Editor: When in AprilASBJ Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail offers an overview of this month’s issue.
Leadership Matters: Training for boards is critical
NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim discusses professional development for school boards as a vital resource for making school districts work for students.President’s Perspective: What we do in 2022 and beyond
NSBA 2021-22 President Viola Garcia on moving forward and staying focused on what we can control.Trends
Book Review
Breakthrough Leadership: Six Principles Guiding Schools Where INEQUITY Is Not an OptionNewsmaker
When school districts have alerted families to the expanded Child Tax Credit and how they can access free tax assistance, many families have taken action to claim this critical support that can help provide stability to the students in your schools.
Features
2022 Magna Awards: Grand Prize Winners
School districts large and small are removing barriers to academic success. The 2022 Magna Awards recognize three Grand Prize winners for innovation and creativity in educational equity.
2022 Magna Awards: Silver Award Winners
School districts large and small are removing barriers to academic success. The 2022 Magna Awards recognize 15 Silver Award winners for innovation and creativity in achieving educational equity.
Before the pandemic, an estimated 1 in 6 U.S. students was chronically absent from school. COVID-19 caused absenteeism rates to soar, particularly in communities with high numbers of the most vulnerable students. Districts are digging in to reengage with these students.
As the nation grapples with the “Great Resignation,” school systems face their own battle to hire and retain staff at all positions who are feeling stressed, exhausted, disrespected, and underpaid.
Five Lessons for Successful School Board Service
School board service is complex and demanding. Still, it remains a wonderful opportunity for individuals to provide their unique skills, talents, and experiences to the community.
Emphasizing real-life projects that benefit the community helps a career and technical education program in rural Virginia raise the bar for student engagement and learning.
Soundboard
In highly stressful times like these, burnout and work-life balance can challenge those charged with positively connecting school districts and their communities.
Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate
To build a strong partnership between schools and parents, the former needs a profound understanding of the wants, needs, and expectations of the latter.
Students from underserved neighborhoods have less access to green outdoor spaces and inviting schoolyards than their peers in affluent communities. This inequality impacts students’ physical and mental wellness and their academic success.
Members of the school law community need to take steps to prioritize their mental health and well-being so that they can continue to support and inspire their clients, colleagues, and loved ones.
Johns Hopkins School of Education researcher Bob Balfanz says school leaders need to be “proactive, not reactive” to help high school students find success during the pandemic.
Online Only
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February
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Listen to your students
ASBJ insights from Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail.
Leadership Matters: Going forward and looking forward
NSBA Executive Director and CEO John Heim discusses moving forward and better meeting the needs of federation members.
President’s Perspective: Essential responsibilities of a school board
NSBA 2021-22 President Viola Garcia emphasizes the importance of effective, fair, sound governance.Features
Giving students opportunities to share their perspectives and make their voices heard is essential as districts continue to navigate a pandemic that has increasingly put youth at risk—especially those in high-need communities.
With the steady rise in the popularity of podcasts, more districts and schools are using the audio format to reach parents and other community members, as well as guide students in creating their own programs.
By ensuring the best balance of community voices, school boards can strengthen their ability to do the urgent work ahead.
Becoming a Better School Board Chair
Robert Rader, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and a board governance veteran, shares tips on effective board leadership.
Seeing the value in criticism is a necessary challenge for school leaders that helps in finding equitable resolutions.
Shining a spotlight on some of the can’t miss events and offerings at the NSBA 2022 Annual Conference.
Soundboard
Boards advised to look for ways “to hear from the majority of your constituents.”
A sizeable number of states failed to provide guidelines on how to serve students with disabilities for the 2021-22 school year.
The ongoing pandemic offers an opportunity to take stock of your institution’s equity work.
2021 National Teacher of the Year Q&A Juliana Urtubey advocates embracing the full diversity of your students and families.
Urban Advocate
Urban districts adopt tutoring, small group instruction, and other strategies to accelerate learning and tackle unfinished learning caused by the pandemic.
Ali of Compton Unified School District, California, Holman of Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska, and Jones of Lancaster Independent School District, Texas, named to 2021-22 CUBE Steering Committee.
Online
2021 Issues
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February
Storyboard
Voices of Leadership
Education under the Biden-Harris administration
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Happy 130th anniversary to us
Leading Transformational Change: Flourish to the fullest
President's Perspective: Ending institutional racism in education
Urban Advocate
New Year’s resolution for equity
Soundboard
Research: Competency-based education
School Law: Student privacy safeguards
Backboard
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April
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Equity in action during the pandemic
Leading Transformational Change: Good communication is key to building trust
President's Perspective: Children are not broken
Storyboard
The 2021 Magna Awards — Grand Prize
The 2021 Magna Awards — First Place
Staunch Advocate for Public Schools
Online Experience Presents Thought Leaders
Newsmaker
Dismantling Institutional Racism in Education (DIRE)
Soundboard
Communications: Equity lessons learned
Equity: The evolving roles of school resource officers
Backboard
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June
Leaderboard
From the Editor: ‘Homework with a side of fries’
Leading Transformational Change: Lessons from a year like no other
President's Perspective: Inspiring future generations
Storyboard
The State of the Association: Pandemic Year
Urban Advocate
Soundboard
Communications: Turn Stereotypes Upside Down
Research: Online Learning Opportunities
School Law: Preparing to Be Proactive
Equity: Digital Equity for All
Business of Education: Safe Spaces and Places
Backboard
Q&A: Mara Schiff, Restorative justice expert
Online
Blue Bird launches first-of-its-kind event
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August
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Focus on facilities
ASBJ Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail previews the 2021 August issue of American School Board Journal, which spotlights school infrastructure.Leadership Matters: Invest in infrastructure
In his ASBJ column, NSBA Interim Executive Director and CEO Chip Slaven reflects on the importance of investing in our national school infrastructure for the 51 million students who attend public schools.President's Perspective: Up to the challenge
NSBA’s 2021-22 President Dr. Viola M. Garcia reflects on the questions that the pandemic has posed to public education and encourages school board members to strengthen their resolve.Features
Infrastructure Best Practices
As K-12 infrastructure receives renewed attention, facilities experts offer advice on effectively leveraging community engagement and detailed planning to back major construction projects.Construction Stories
ASBJ Contributing Editor Glenn Cook profiles school districts in Maryland, Texas, and Washington, looking at the biggest challenges they faced in creating buy-in to replace or rebuild aging school buildings.Environment and Achievement
ASBJ explores how education leaders can improve classroom acoustics, air quality, lighting, and temperature to prioritize academic outcomes.Books at Home
While the pandemic shuttered physical access to schools and libraries, districts across the country found clever ways to keep their students reading.Infection Prevention
The pandemic instilled many important hygiene practices into everyone’s daily routines. As society continues to reopen, it’s important to retain some of these practices to keep students healthy.
Newsmaker
Asian American History is American History
Students and school board members in Maryland’s Howard County Public School System are highlighting the integral role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played in American history.
Soundboard
Communications: Justice Leaders
Washtenaw Intermediate School District Interim Superintendent Naomi Norman discusses how the Michigan district prioritizes equity, including its work with educators and nonprofit and church leaders, to provide training on bias, diversity, race, and the long-term effect of poverty on generations of students.Research: Safe and Healthy Buildings
NSBA Senior Research Analyst Jinghong Cai examines the national data behind school infrastructure, revealing the impact of overcrowded classrooms and inadequate workspaces on student achievement.School Law: Vaccinations in the Workplace
While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has clarified some questions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, employers—including school districts—should take steps to avoid unnecessary litigation.Equity: Mental Health of Educators
A school psychology professor shares how districts can support the well-being of their educators and what individual teachers can do to prioritize their mental health.
Backboard
Q&A: Carol Jago, literacy expert
ASBJ’s Michelle Healy interviews Carol Jago, associate director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA, about her newest book.Online
As Senate advances trillion-dollar infrastructure package for final vote, NSBA urges funds dedicated to support school facilities. Issues highlighted in August ASBJ.
Following the U.S. Senate 67-32 vote to advance a $1 trillion infrastructure package, NSBA urged congressional leaders to invest at least $130 billion in school facilities. The August issue of NSBA’s American School Board Journal examines some of the challenges facing school districts with facilities in dire need of renovation, modernization, and replacement.Excelling in Extraordinary Circumstances
As we look ahead to the next school year and beyond, ensuring ALL students have access to high-quality learning opportunities, and the resources needed to thrive, are top of mind. These stories spotlight powerful partnerships, pivoting to virtual work-based learning and internships, harnessing technology and innovation, and more. -
October
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Sweeney Todd and Me
ASBJ Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail shares a personal story that underscores the essential role of arts in schools—the theme of the 2021 October issue of American School Board Journal.
Leadership Matters: Promoting Arts Education
NSBA interim Executive Director and CEO Chip Slaven discusses the importance of arts education, highlighting how it can promote work-life balance while also improving academic outcomes.
President’s Perspective: Reimagined Opportunities
NSBA President Dr. Viola M. Garcia reflects on the agility, flexibility, and responsiveness demonstrated by school board members and other education leaders during the last 18 months and looks forward to new ways of teaching and learning.Features
Anything Is Possible
Aldine Independent School District's Carver High School offers award-winning programs in visual arts, vocal and instrumental music, dance, and theatre, giving its students—many of whom live in poverty—a safe environment to discover and be themselves.
Arts Bridge the Gaps
Data backs up what Tony Plana knows to be true from his own experience growing up as an immigrant in America: arts education closes achievement gaps and promotes social-emotional development.
The Power of Music
Country Music Association CEO and CMA Foundation President Sarah Trahern interviews Trisha Yearwood about her musical journey and the impact of music education.
Curveball Strategies for Success
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) has continued to enable students for college during the pandemic by offering consistency, community, and connection.Newsmakers
The Leading Edge
NSBA recognizes The Indiana School Boards Association and Virginia School Boards Association for their tireless work to provide an equitable and excellent public education for all students with the 2021 Leading Edge Award.
Understanding Critical Race Theory
ASBJ defines critical race theory and related terms to help school board members answer questions from the public.Soundboard
Communications: Race and Equity Training
Shayla Reese Griffin, co-founder of the Justice Leaders Collaborative, discusses the importance of training educators on bias, diversity, race, and the long-term effect of poverty on generations of students.
Research: Full STEAM Ahead
NSBA Senior Research Analyst Jinghong Cai shares takeaways from the Summer Symposium of the Ohio Art Education Association for teachers seeking to integrate the arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects.
School Law: Consequences and Prevention
Establishing proper policies and consequences for online communication is key to preventing inappropriate relationships between students and staff.
Equity: We Will All Be Champions
Former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women’s National Team Joanna Lohman emphasizes the importance of creating youth sporting environments that make LGBTQ students feel safe, seen, and loved.Urban Advocate
Stimulus Money Demands Leadership, Transparency, and Accountability
CUBE Steering Committee Chair Steve Gallon emphasizes the fiduciary responsibilities school boards must abide by as they receive $130 billion from the American Rescue Plan.Remote Education Options
As of August, 79% of large and urban districts planned to offer some form of remote option during the fall semester. ASBJ explores how several districts are reinstituting remote learning options—from temporary solutions to lasting alternatives.
Backboard
Q&A: Christopher Emdin
Best-selling author and Columbia University professor Christopher Emdin discusses his new book Ratchetdemic and the need to provide students with spaces to display their academic brilliance without sacrificing their identities. -
December
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Messy and Essential
The latest from ASBJ Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Vail.Leadership Matters: Increase Awareness of School Boards' Role
NSBA interim Executive Director and CEO Chip Slaven discusses the importance of work-life balance for students and school leaders.President's Perspective: Expanding the Definition of Student Safety and Security
NSBA 2021-22 president Viola Garcia discusses how student safety and security have had to evolve to encompass whole child safety needs.Features
Pressure Points
Public discourse and communication with parents and community members are essential to school board governance. However, the scenes at board meetings over the past several months show that the goal of many speakers is not to participate in reasoned debate. Instead, it is disruption, intimidation, and threats of violence, often for a social media audience.
School Safety Evolution
The pandemic has changed the way districts approach security and safety plans. Zac Rantz, chief communication officer and safety coordinator of Missouri's Nixa Public Schools, explores how school leaders can take a multilayered approach to school safety.
The Misuse of Testing
American educators have been employing standardized tests in essentially the same ways for more than a century. So, given this reality, why is there any need to be concerned now about the ways we have been using those tests—even if the pandemic may have caused some educators to reconsider many of their traditional practices? The answer may be unnerving, but it can’t be overlooked.
Learner, Teacher, Leader
NSBA President Viola Garcia has spent decades serving students as a school board member, teacher, principal, and college professor. She says her personal, professional, and volunteer life have all been interrelated, and at the core of them all has been education.
A Cautionary Tale of Two Districts
Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, there is currently an adequate supply of high-quality alcohol-based hand sanitizer. However, many school districts continue to utilize surplus stock donated or purchased at the beginning of the pandemic, when products with unknown impurities and efficacy were readily available, and in many cases, were the only ones obtainable.Newsmakers
Districts Welcome Afghan Refugees
In September, the Biden administration requested funding from Congress to help settle 95,000 Afghan evacuees expected this year and next. The first wave of those school-age evacuees has begun arriving in U.S. schools.Soundboard
Communications: Community Connections
Austin Independent School District is one of 400 districts that uses an app to dispatch parent inquires to the appropriate office, offering first-class customer service across the district’s 125 schools.
Research: Safety in Numbers
Using data from 338 school districts, the Center for Public Education examined COVID infection rates, COVID vaccine hesitancy rates, and face mask policies in rural communities.
School Law: Protecting District Data
School board leadership plays a crucial role in cybersecurity and preventing attacks on school district data.
Equity: Trauma-Insensitive Schools
While some schools have made progress in understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how to support students, far too many schools are the source of ACEs for some students. Institutional racism in education can lead to trauma.
Business of Education: Safety, Focus, and Security
NSBA recently partnered with Kajeet—a leading provider of secure and controlled wireless experiences—to close the homework gap. In an interview with ASBJ, Kajeet CEO Daniel Neal discusses the company and digital inclusion.Urban Advocate
Top Urban Boards
ASBJ features this year's winners of the 2021 Award for Urban School Board Excellence: South Carolina’s Richland County School District One and Tennessee’s Shelby County Schools.
Luminous Eagle Award Honors Two Former Chairs
Former AIAN committee chairs Rodney Schilt of Oklahoma and David Snyder of Wyoming are winners of the 2021 Luminous Eagle Award.
Get Your Jerseys Dirty
2021-22 CUBE Steering Committee Steve Gallon III delivers words of inspiration and conviction to school board leaders.Backboard
Q&A: Rural Teacher of the Year
2021 National Rural Teacher of the Year Laurie Smith discusses teaching and relationship building with ASBJ's Michelle Healy.
Book Review: Common Sense Evidence
Doctoral student Rahnda Ford reviews a new book written to help educators use data.
Online Stories
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2023
ESSER Funds Still Available for Music Education Needs: Know the steps and deadlines
Teach Coding Today to Improve Equity Tomorrow
Risk Management as a Governance Function: A COVID case study
It’s Time to Look at Educator Time!
Improving the Superintendent Search Process
How a First-Time Principal Led Systemic Change Despite a Pandemic: A guide for new administrators
Construction Management as an Extension of Learning Environments
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2022
Taking the Politics Out of School Safety Decisions
Why Your Administrators, Teachers, and Students Don't Stand a Chance — And What You Can Do About It
Best Practices in COVID and Post-COVID Education
How to Keep Your Superintendent
Boardsmanship and Student Achievement
Effect of Start Time Changes on Enrollment
A School District Under Transformation
Tool to Assess At-Risk Students
On 1619 and Other School Culture Wars: A case for pluralism, and accuracy
Stakeholder-Driven Strategic Planning to Build Community Consensus and Trust
Pandemic Learning Loss Can Derail a Student for Life — And We All Pay the Price
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2021
Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning: A Secret Weapon for Our Students
As Senate advances trillion-dollar infrastructure package for final vote, NSBA urges funds dedicated to support school facilities. Issues highlighted in August ASBJ
Blue Bird launches first-of-its-kind eventBridging the Gap: Professional Development and LGBTQ Youth
Excelling in Extraordinary Circumstances
Hey, Jimmy. How Are Your “Psychological Insults”?
Instructional Equity and Access in a Pandemic
Is Open/Public Bargaining the Future for Public Schools?
Meeting the Serious Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Most Vulnerable
Reimagining the Future of Assessment
Transform the learning environment, transform learning! -
2020
Adding More Play as You Reopen
DonorsChoose Supports Educators and District Leaders During the COVID-19 Crisis
NSBA’s New “Elevated Solutions” Program Saves Districts Money, Gains Revenue, Improves Outcomes
Synergy™ Imagination™ – Developing Together in a World Designed for Us
Change Culture to Change Results
Designing an Equitable and Sustainable Computer Science Education Program
Doing More With Required Data: Leveraging Essa for Expanded Insight
Help to Add More Play When You're Ready
Helping Today’s Student Shine Now and for Years to Come
SEL + MTSS: How to Empower Middle Schoolers to Navigate Rough Waters
Superior Sound-Isolation Rooms Improve Overall Performance
Understanding the Toll of Student Discipline
Ensuring a Consistent, Compassionate Presence in the Driver’s Seat
School Letter Grades and Achievement
We Will Meet Them Where They Are
Back-to-school: Creating a safe and healthy learning environment beyond COVID-19 protocols
Digitarium SkyBox Supports Effective STEM Lessons Online or in-Person
Four Solutions to School Disinfection and Funding Questions
A K-12 School's Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing Student Device Insurance
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2019
Achieving Equity in Discipline
Making a Commitment to Care for Every Child, Every Day
Lessons Learned in School Security
ASHA Certification Delivers the Gold Standard of Care
A Blended Leadership Project for Special Education
What District Leaders Can Do to Support English Learners Today
New Resource Helps Educators Navigate Tough Issues Students Face
2020 Issues
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February
Features
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Silver memories
Tom on Point: Is your district award-worthy?
President's Perspective: Count every child
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Telling Your Story
Database: Not Only for Art's Sake
Seeking Counsel: CTE and the Law
Equity: Accurate and Equitable Grading
Urban Advocate
Backboard
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April
Features
The 2020 Magna Awards — Grand Prize
The 2020 Magna Awards — First Place
Passionate Advocate for Public Education
Sound Advice for School Leaders
Leaderboard
From the editor: And the winner is...
President's Perspective: The power of just one for just one
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Uncomfortable Conversations
Seeking Counsel: Shield and Sword
Backboard
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June
Storyboard
Four 'Big Ideas' of Board Governance
Leaderboard
President's Perspective: Reinvented schools
President's Brief: After a quick pivot, more work and challenges await us
Urban Advocate
Can a Crisis Lead to Equitable Access?
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Honoring the Class of 2020
Database: Continuity of Education
Seeking Counsel: The Children Are Watching Us
Backboard
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August
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October
Storyboard
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Hearing their stories
Leading Transformational Change: Season of renewal
President's Perspective: The agenda against public education
President's Brief: Welcome to Cleveland!
Urban Advocate
Decisions for the Next Generation
The Intersectionality of School Safety, Health, and Opportunity
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Beyond Information
Seeking Counsel: On the Basis of Sex
Equity: Philanthropy Lends a Hand
Business of Education: College Assistance from the U.S. Army
Backboard
Q&A: David Kirkland on culturally responsive remote education
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December
Storyboard
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Dismantling racism
Leading Transformational Change: Strategic learning at NSBA
President's Perspective: 25 years of education deform by the plutocrats
President's Brief: Musings of a board member on institutional racism in education
Urban Advocate
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Aggressive Common Sense
Database: The Condition of Native American Students
Seeking Counsel: Vaping Dangers
Backboard
Q&A: Scott Poland on youth suicide risk
Online
How Structured Interviews Help School Boards Make Better Superintendent Selections
2019 Issues
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February
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April
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June
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August
Features
Phishing, Ransomeware, and Data Breaches
Media Literacy as Violence Prevention
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Urban Renewal
Tom on Point: The Underpinning of Democracy
President's Perspective: Summer at Last
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: When the Unthinkable Occurs
Database: Special Ed Discipline Disparities
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October
Features
Leaderboard
From the Editor: 'It's Better to See' *
Tom on Point: A Republic, if We Can Keep It
President's Perspective: Make a Difference to Generations
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: Everybody's Job
Database: CTE and Special Education
Seeking Counsel: First Amendment at Board Meetings
Urban Advocate
Clarion Voice for Equity and Quality
Backboard
Q&A: Curriculum Specialists on the Need for Accurate Indigenous History Instruction
Online
Communication is Key to Academic Success
CORE Construction and Procedeo: National Companies Built on Trust
Preparing for the Coming Fiscal Crunch
Teacher Retention: A Growing Problem
What District Leaders Can Do to Support Equitable Classrooms in Their Schools
* Part of the multimedia edition
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December
Features
Preparing for Changing Climate
Leaderboard
From the Editor: Can't close the schoolhouse doors
Tom on Point: Demanding, invaluable public service
President's Perspective: American Education Week
Soundboard
Public Advocacy: A department of one
Seeking Counsel: Telehealth in schools
Equity: Paid internships pay off
Urban Advocate
Race is Harder Than Rocket Science
Backboard
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