Education policy is the constitutional responsibility of states, and governors have played a lead role in efforts to improve education. The challenges states face in K-12 education are complex, and governors must address a wide range of schooling issues including: literacy, middle and high school reform, the No Child Left Behind Act, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, postsecondary, and many others. Today governors are leading widespread high school redesign efforts to better ensure that all students graduate high school ready for college, work, and citizenship (visit our high school specific section to learn more about related activities). The NGA Center for Best Practices supports governors on these and other policy issues through focused projects, direct technical assistance and policy analysis.

Focus of Center Activities

Adolescent Literacy—Early reading success is a strong predictor of academic success in later grades, and the early childhood years are critical ones for literacy development. Governors have begun to make progress in raising literacy achievement through early initiatives that apply research and best practices, yet one in four eighth through twelfth graders cannot read, write, or analyze at even basic levels. In addition, fourth grade marks a transition in expectations for student learning as children, rather than learning to read, are now reading to learn. If states are to improve high school graduation and college-readiness rates, they must improve students' literacy skills so they are able to perform at the higher standards demanded by the information economy. Governors can provide critical leadership to strengthen literacy at all grade levels. The NGA Center provides technical assistance to governors and state policymakers as they set the stage for a revitalized education system that prepares students for the increasing literacy demands of life in the 21st century.

Education Choice Options—From charter schools to public school choice programs, expanding the supply of available schooling options for all is a crucial issue for states as they seek to raise student achievement thus ensuring the college and career readiness of every high school graduate. To achieve these critical goals, governors must find ways to create a myriad of high quality choices from which families and parents can select, using a mix of finance policies, program design elements, and accountability measures that create incentives for choice. The Center's work in this area has focused on promoting knowledge and technical assistance supporting high quality charter schools across the states.

Expanded Learning Opportunities—Often referred to as before- and after-school, summer, or out-of-school time programs, Extra Learning Opportunities provide youth ages five to 18 with a variety of activities designed to promote learning and positive development beyond the traditional school day. The NGA Center's work addresses issues related to the creation, funding, and sustainability of state-level ELO programs through policy development.

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)—The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was signed into law on January 8, 2002. The Center's Education Division is helping governors and states implement NCLB through the State Education Policy Network (SEPN), a partnership of six national organizations that offer technical assistance and policy interpretation, and answer specific requests related to NCLB.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)  was a major focus of Governor Napolitano's Innovation America Initiative and is viewed as an important economic driver in the innovation economy.  A strong STEM agenda not only allows states to produce top STEM professionals but provide all students with the skills that a necessary in today's knowledge-based, technology-intensive global economy. NGA has produced not only a STEM specific governors' guide but a number of different companion guides to help state's link K-12 STEM education with cluster-based economic development and the post-secondary system.  The Education division is currently involved in the NGA STEM Center Program and will be providing technical assistance to all states in the coming years.

Turning Around Low Performing Schools—One of the most pressing challenges states face is dealing with schools that are persistently under-performing. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) raises the stakes for states considerably and requires states and districts to quickly scale-up their accountability systems so they can bring all students to proficiency.

Also see:

The Data Quality Campaign—a national, collaborative effort to encourage and support state policymakers to improve the collection, availability and use of high-quality education data, and implement state longitudinal data systems to improve student achievement. The campaign aims to provide tools and resources that will assist states in their development of quality longitudinal data systems, while also providing a national forum for reducing duplication of effort and promoting greater coordination and consensus among organizations focusing on improving data quality, access and use.