2027 Legislative Session Dates
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Key Takeaways:

  • Education policymakers are preparing for another busy year focused on state AI education policy, student mental health, school choice, and budget challenges, with national organizations playing a central role in shaping these debates.
  • The Education Commission of the States, created in 1965 and based in Denver, serves all 50 states and territories by helping education leaders develop policy on topics ranging from early childhood education to workforce development.
  • The National School Boards Association reaches more than 80,000 school board members across 13,000 school districts, advocating for public education and school board governance with combined buying power exceeding $400 billion.
  • The Consortium of State School Boards Associations, founded in 2022, has grown to 27 member states and focuses on collaboration among state associations, networking for board members, and federal advocacy on local control of public education.
  • ExcelinEd supports state leaders in pursuing student-centered policy on educational quality and innovation, bringing together more than 1,000 state and national leaders at its annual National Summit on Education.

As students head back to the classroom, state policymakers are getting ready for another busy year in education, with AI in schools, student mental health, school choice, and budget pressures near the top of the list. Many of these debates start or develop inside national policymaker and policy influencer organizations. Legislators, state education leaders, school board members, and district leaders rely on these groups for research, for lessons from colleagues in other states, and for help with shared challenges. Below are some of the education-focused organizations to know.

State Education Policymaker Groups

Education Commission of the States (ECS)

Created after the Compact for Education was established in 1965, ECS is headquartered in Denver and serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories, helping education leaders build effective policy. Its staff covers everything from early care and education to workforce development. ECS's signature event, the National Forum on Education Policy, draws about 700 ECS commissioners, teachers, district leaders, and other stakeholders each summer, and more district leaders attend each year.

National School Boards Association (NSBA)

NSBA is a nonpartisan association that advocates for high-quality public education and school board governance before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Through its member state associations, it reaches more than 80,000 school board members and 13,000 school districts, with combined buying power of more than $400 billion. NSBA includes the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), which supports urban school board leadership, and the Council of School Attorneys (COSA), which supports attorneys for K-12 districts and state school boards associations. The CUBE Annual Conference brings together about 1,000 urban school district leaders and policymakers.

Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA)

State school boards associations founded COSSBA in 2022 as a nonpartisan national alliance to share resources and strengthen those associations. It has grown to 27 member states, including New York, which joined recently. COSSBA's work centers on collaboration among association staff, networking for local and association board members, and federal policy and judicial advocacy on local control and public education. Its Leadership Summit is a closed-door meeting of 100 to 150 senior leaders from member states, and more district leaders are taking part.

ExcelinEd

ExcelinEd is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps state leaders pursue student-centered policy on educational quality, innovation, and opportunity, both inside and outside the traditional system. Its annual National Summit on Education brings together more than 1,000 state and national leaders, including policymakers, state education chiefs, and advocates.

Engage and Activate Stakeholders

MultiState's Stakeholder Engagement Practice helps clients develop a strategic plan for engaging with policymaker and policy influencer organizations — groups that can move the needle in policy discussions across the country. Any effective state government relations strategy includes a comprehensive plan for engaging with the policy community. Navigating with these organizations can be overwhelming due to their size and the sheer volume of groups to consider for engagement. With leadership changes and new staff, it can be that much more difficult. Read more about our Stakeholder Engagement practice here to learn more about how we can engage and activate stakeholders to support your advocacy agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which national organizations do state policymakers rely on for education policy research and peer learning?

State policymakers rely on organizations such as the Education Commission of the States, the National School Boards Association, the Consortium of State School Boards Associations, and ExcelinEd for research, lessons from colleagues in other states, and help with shared challenges. These groups serve legislators, state education leaders, school board members, and district leaders.

How many school board members and school districts does the National School Boards Association reach through its member state associations?

Through its member state associations, NSBA reaches more than 80,000 school board members and 13,000 school districts. Those districts represent a combined buying power of more than $400 billion.

What is COSSBA and how many states have joined it?

COSSBA is a nonpartisan national alliance founded by state school boards associations to share resources and strengthen those associations. It has grown to 27 member states, including New York, which joined recently.

What policy issues are state policymakers prioritizing in education right now?

State policymakers are focused on AI in schools, student mental health, school choice, and budget pressures. Many of these debates start or develop inside national policymaker and policy influencer organizations.

What is ExcelinEd and what kinds of leaders attend its annual summit?

ExcelinEd is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps state leaders pursue student-centered policy on educational quality, innovation, and opportunity, both inside and outside the traditional system. Its annual National Summit on Education brings together more than 1,000 state and national leaders, including policymakers, state education chiefs, and advocates.