Innovation America
2006-07 NGA Chair Gov. Janet Napolitano's Initiative
In today's economy, competition between nations is less relevant than competition between regions of innovation—groups of high wage, rapidly growing businesses that are closely linked through collaboration, research efforts, common products and services. Read more...

Redesigning the American High School
2004-05 NGA Chair Gov. Mark Warner's Initiative
Through Gov. Warner's initiative, Redesigning the American High School, the National Governors Association (NGA) is addressing the urgent need to improve high schools. In addition to the 2005 National Education Summit on High Schools, Gov. Warner and NGA released a five-point state action agenda for high school redesign and a list of 10 Steps for getting started on this agenda. Governors now have a compilation of promising state and local practices to implement these 10 recommendations. Town hall meetings across the country and recommendations for common state data collection of high school graduation and dropout rates complete the initiative's major activities. The Redesigning the American High School initiative is generously supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read more...

Reaching New Heights: Turning Around Low-Performing Schools
2002-03 NGA Chair Gov. Paul Patton's Initiative
Governors are constantly searching for solutions that will help all schools succeed, but some schools require more help than others. The long-term goal for states is to improve overall system performance while closing persistent gaps in achievement between minority and non-minority students. Fortunately, there are places to look for guidance. Although some schools continue to struggle, some have responded successfully to state reform efforts and others have gone far in improving student performance and closing the achievement gap. Current research also suggests there are ways state policies can effectively stimulate and support school improvement. Read more...