K-12 Education

Ensuring access to a quality education to help all students reach their full potential is a top priority for Governors across the country. NGA provides information, research synthesis, policy analysis, technical assistance and resources to Governors and their staff on education topics. At the center of the K-12 Education team’s work are three core principles: equity, alignment, and evidence. The team is currently focused on supporting Governors as they transition from pandemic-disrupted learning to reimagining their state’s education systems, including on efforts aimed at closing the digital divide; addressing students’ academic recovery and wellbeing; and strengthening educator development and support systems.

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Improving Student, Family And School Staff Well-Being

NGA is working with six states and national and state partners, as well as grant support, to develop and carry out action plans focused on one or more specific state policy priorities related to students’ comprehensive development during and beyond COVID-19.

School Leadership Hot Topics

On School Leadership Hot Topics, nationally recognized education experts share their knowledge and insights on strategies and promising practices for advancing school leadership policies and priorities at the gubernatorial and state level. For additional information and resources on principals and school leaders, please visit the Wallace Foundation Knowledge Center.

Latest

K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

Outgoing NGA Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson opened the NGA Summer Meeting with an overview of his 2021-2022 Chairman’s Initiative to expand K-12 computer science education. After announcing the initiative last ...
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State of the States: Student and School Staff Health and Wellness

During their State of the State addresses in 2022, Governors highlighted the need for increased social, emotional, mental, and behavioral health supports for students and school staff. By Catherine Van ...
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State of the States: Academic Supports

Governors discussed the impact of interrupted instruction on K-12 students and highlighted plans for additional academic supports, including afterschool and summer learning, during their State of the State addresses. By ...
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2021-2022 CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVE

Computer Science Education

Jobs that require computer science skills and knowledge will only continue to grow during the 21st century. Especially as more remote working opportunities arise, state leaders want to ensure that graduates have the skills they need to find high-paying jobs without leaving the state. Governors are leading the charge to identify best practices in expanding access to computer science education in K-12 schools across the country. Governor Hutchinson’s Initiative will focus on how states can expand access to computer science opportunities, including discussions on how to ensure equitable access to computer science education.

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Meet Our Team

Seth Gerson
Program Director

Catherine Van Ness
Senior Policy Analyst

Katie Nichols
Policy Coordinator

K-12 Topics

Health and Safety

In light of the devastating events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the NGA Education Division hosted a School Safety and Prevention Webinar for Governors’ Education Policy Advisors on Mar ...
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School Safety and Prevention (March 2018)

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association today released a statement following yesterday’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people and left more than a dozen ...
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Governors: ‘Today We Stand With All Floridians’

Student and Staff Well-Being

On Jul. 9, 2018, the Education Division, in partnership with NGA's Health and Economic Opportunity Divisions, presented a webinar on Chronic Absenteeism. The session features national and state experts from ...
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Chronic Absenteeism Webinar

Academic Recovery / Summer Learning and Enrichment

Governors and state chiefs are moving quickly to develop plans that include a range of new strategies, targeted interventions and grant programs designed to close achievement gaps and prepare all ...
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State Plans for Accelerating Student Learning: A Preliminary Analysis

As states shift their focus from the immediate emergency of COVID-19 school closures toward the reopening of schools and educational centers in the summer and fall, there has been growing ...
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Summer Camps and Summer Learning Opportunities

Summary Early literacy has been elevated by governors across the nation as an indicator of success in school and in life. The 2019 Governor’s Pocket Guide to Early Literacy underscores the ...
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Governor’s Pocket Guide to Early Literacy

Digital Literacy

BOSTON –National Governors Association (NGA) Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson convened a meeting with Governors from five other states, private sector representatives, teachers and other experts to discuss bipartisan action ...
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Governors, Private Sector, Education Leaders Advance Computer Science Education

Governors, state education leaders and national experts met in Bentonville, Arkansas to discuss the NGA Chairman’s Initiative on K-12 computer science education. By Catherine Van Ness On March 17, 2022, ...
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Governors Convening on Computer Science Education

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — National Governors Association Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson convened a meeting with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, state education leaders, and other national experts to advance NGA’s Chair’s ...
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Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson Advances Computer Science Education Initiative with State Leaders, National Experts

Educator Workforce

The role of the public school principal has expanded dramatically in recent decades. The expanded role means they are now significant multipliers of effective teaching and have a real opportunity ...
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Promising Practices in Boosting School Leadership Capacity: Principal Academies

Education Finance

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K-12, Postsecondary, Workforce Connections

January 17-19, 2018 | Indianapolis, IN The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) hosted a policy academy meeting focused on assisting state workforce and education leaders to ...
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Work-Based Learning Policy Academy Cross-State Meeting

Summary States increasingly need a more highly skilled workforce to meet the requirements of businesses, keep up with a rapidly changing economy and accelerate growth that leads to economic opportunity ...
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States Continue Advancing Strategies to Scale Work-Based Learning

WASHINGTON— The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) announced that six states— Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, North Carolina and Rhode Island— have been selected to participate in a policy academy focused on scaling ...
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States Support Work-Based Learning to Expand Employment Opportunities

NGA K-12 Education Library

State Policy Levers to Support Principal Pipelines

In this webinar, Dr. Paul Manna of William and Mary shares findings from his new report, How Can State Policy Support Local School Districts as They Develop Comprehensive and Aligned ...
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K-12 Education: Reflect And Redesign

A series of conversations with subject matter experts, state education leaders, and practitioners that reflect on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and elevate strategies and models for redesigning key ...
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Strategies for Reengaging Students During and Beyond The COVID-19 Pandemic

This webinar explores strategies for Governors to help school districts in addressing chronic absenteeism and reengaging students as they continue learning in pandemic-disrupted circumstances. The webinar offers lessons learned and ...
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Western Governors University and the National Governors Association Announce Strategic Partnership

Partnership Will Deliver Best Practices to States to Improve Attainment in Higher Education, Skills and Work Western Governors University (WGU) and the National Governors Association (NGA) announced today a strategic ...
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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Introduces NGA Chair’s Initiative on Computer Science Education

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson introduces his National Governors Association Chair's Initiative at the National Press Club in Washington. National Governors Association Chairman and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson introduced his 2021-22 ...
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Work Based Learning

Work-based learning provides students with authentic work experiences where they apply and develop employability and technical skills that support success in careers and postsecondary education. Work-based learning activities culminate in ...
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