K-12 Education

Governors are leading efforts across the country to ensure that students in their states graduate prepared to succeed in postsecondary, the workforce, and life. The NGA K-12 Education Team supports Governors in these efforts by regularly bringing together Governors’ education policy advisors to connect with and learn from each other and national and state experts in the field; providing ongoing responsive and proactive technical assistance; and through the development of resources and reports that spotlight promising practices and actionable strategies on timely topics, including addressing students’ academic recovery and well-being and strengthening educator recruitment and retention.

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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.

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Strategies for Addressing the Comprehensive Needs of Students and Families Through Community Schools and Wraparound Supports

This webinar discusses strategies to address the comprehensive needs of students and families through community schools and wraparound supports. Panelists explain the evidence in this field, discuss how community schools ...
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Strategies for Parent, Family, Student and Community Engagement with K-12 Schools

This webinar discusses strategies to improve parent, family, student and community engagement with K-12 schools. Panelists explain the research in this field, offer recommendations for state policy leaders and highlight ...
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Governors’ Education Policy Advisors Institute 2022

Governors’ advisors met in Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss current challenges and state solutions in K-12 education policy. By Seth Gerson & Catherine Van Ness The National Governors Association (NGA) ...
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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.

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Meet The Team

Seth Gerson, Program Director

Catherine Van Ness, Senior Policy Analyst

Katie Nichols, Policy Coordinator

K-12 Topics

Health and Safety

(View/Download) Introduction Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding economic decline, the number of Americans experiencing food insecurity has skyrocketed in the United States. According to surveys administered by the ...
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School Nutrition and Meals Programs During K-12 School Reopening

The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices Education, Health and Homeland Security and Public Safety divisions held a webinar on School Safety and Prevention on September 17, 2018 ...
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School Safety and Prevention Webinar

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)

Student and Staff Well-Being

Conversations with education leaders in Colorado and Ohio co-hosted by the National Governors Association and Chiefs for Change. This two-part webinar series co-hosted by Chiefs for Change and the National ...
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Elevating Opportunities for Innovation: Education Leadership in Colorado and Ohio

This series of webinars explores strategies for supporting students with unique needs as they recover from disrupted school years. Panelists offer lessons learned and promising practices, especially related to the ...
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Strategies for Supporting Students with Unique Needs During & 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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Strategies for Reengaging Students During and Beyond The COVID-19 Pandemic

Academic Recovery / Summer Learning and Enrichment

National Governors Association, Council of Chief State School Officers Note Summer Opportunities and Cite Examples of State Leadership As state and educational leaders grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 ...
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State Leaders Outline Strategies for Accelerating Student Learning Amid Pandemic

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

Digital Literacy

Republican and Democratic Governors alike understand that K-12 computer science education is critical to American competitiveness and security. By Governor Asa Hutchinson and Governor Phil Murphy Intelligence officials are sounding ...
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Advance STEM education in bipartisan innovation and competition legislation

Governors, First Spouses, industry partners and national experts met in Boston, Massachusetts, to discuss K-12 computer science education, the focus of the NGA Chairman’s Initiative. By Catherine Van Ness Photo: ...
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Computer Science Education and The Workforce

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

Educator Workforce

Hosted by the National Governors Association (NGA) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), this webinar highlighted how governors and state education chiefs in Delaware and Tennessee have worked ...
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School Leadership Under ESSA: State Highlights

Many states have recently devoted significant attention to improving the quality of teaching and school leadership. Changes to teacher and principal evaluations as well as modifications to policy and regulation ...
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How Maryland Policymakers Are Working Together to Improve School Principal Quality

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

Governor Hutchinson Hosts National Computer Science Education Week Kick-Off

Arkansas Governor and NGA Chairman Asa Hutchinson hosted the official national launch event for #CSEdWeek 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas. By Catherine Van Ness On Friday, November 3, 2021, NGA ...
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National Governors Association Chairman’s Initiative Highlighted at CSEdCon

The national computer science education conference in Los Angeles, California brought together state leaders, local educators, and industry partners to discuss strategies to expand access and equity in computer science ...
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2021 State of Computer Science Education Report

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson’s NGA Chairman’s Initiative aims to expand access to K-12 computer science education across the United States and territories. During this webinar, Dr. Katie Hendrickson of Code.org ...
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Lessons Learned from Afterschool and Summer Learning and Enrichment in 2021

This webinar highlights lessons learned for afterschool and summer learning programs during the pandemic and Summer 2021. Panelists offer recommendations regarding accelerating learning, re-engaging students, and effective use of federal ...
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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

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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