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.

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State of the States: Student and School Staff Health and Wellness

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

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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Webinar: Education Trends in 2022 State of the State Addresses

Webinar: Education Trends in 2022 State of the State Addresses

NGA partnered with Education Commission of the States (ECS) to produce a report summarizing Governors’ top education priorities as outlined during State of the State addresses. This webinar provides context ...
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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

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Student and Staff Well-Being

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Academic Recovery / Summer Learning and Enrichment

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Digital Literacy

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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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Introduces NGA Chair’s Initiative on Computer Science Education

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Introduces NGA Chair’s Initiative on Computer Science Education

Affordable, reliable internet access has never been more essential to a student’s education. Governors recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for distance learning and closing the digital ...
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Governors Prioritize Expanding Internet Access for K-12 Students

Governors Prioritize Expanding Internet Access for K-12 Students

Access to fast, reliable broadband is critical to households, businesses, and communities in the modern economy. The ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the necessity of broadband access for ...
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Broadband

Broadband

Educator Workforce

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Education Finance

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K-12, Postsecondary, Workforce Connections

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NGA K-12 Education Library

Letter Urging Congress to Extend Waiver Authorities for the COVID-19 School Nutrition Rules

Letter Urging Congress to Extend Waiver Authorities for the COVID-19 School Nutrition Rules

"As districts and community programs prepare for the upcoming school year, it is becoming increasingly clear that most students will not be at school or be able to eat breakfast ...
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Broadband

Broadband

Access to fast, reliable broadband is critical to households, businesses, and communities in the modern economy. The ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the necessity of broadband access for ...
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Parts of a Whole: Critical Aspects to Support PreK to Grade 3

Parts of a Whole: Critical Aspects to Support PreK to Grade 3

Virtual Convening | August 4-6, 2020 The education field is steeped in tough issues related to fall 2020. They face competing demands to address young students' academic needs, their social-emotional ...
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School Nutrition and Meals Programs During K-12 School Reopening

School Nutrition and Meals Programs During K-12 School Reopening

(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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Governors and Education Leaders Call for Funding and Flexibility to Ensure Student Safety in Fall

Governors and Education Leaders Call for Funding and Flexibility to Ensure Student Safety in Fall

In a letter to congressional leaders, the National Governors Association (NGA) and groups representing state K-12 education agencies, local school boards, universities, community colleges, educators and the special education community ...
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Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding Education Funding and Local Control

Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding Education Funding and Local Control

The Honorable Mitch McConnellMajority LeaderUnited States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeaker of the HouseUnited States House of RepresentativesU.S. Capitol BuildingWashington, DC 20515The Honorable Chuck SchumerMinority ...
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K-12 to Postsecondary Transitions During COVID-19: Opportunities for Governors and States

Background During this time of unprecedented educational and economic disruption, governors and state leaders can take steps to ensure equitable access to postsecondary education for graduating seniors. Each year, roughly ...
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Supporting K12 and Postsecondary Virtual Learning Environments

This memo analyzes the need to expand access to and support around virtual learning methods as educational institutions move to online instruction. As schools, colleges, and universities across the country ...
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Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund Summary

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund -- $3 billion in direct, flexible education funding for governors to provide to ...
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Letter to U.S. Department of Education Regarding Education Stabilization Fund

April 3, 2020The Honorable Betsy DeVosSecretary, U.S. Department of Education400 Maryland Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20202Dear Secretary DeVos: On behalf of the nation’s governors, we write to urge swift action by ...
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