Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) purpose is to ensure each student everywhere has access to excellent and equitable public education governed by high-performing school board leaders and supported by the community.

With members spread across the United States, the Virgin Islands, and Canada, NSBA is the only national organization representing school boards. Along with its member state associations and member public school districts representing locally elected school board officials serving millions of public school students, NSBA believes that public education is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people and that each child, regardless of their ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, identity, or citizenship, deserves equitable access to an education that maximizes their individual potential.

A non-partisan association, NSBA leads through working with members, affiliates, and stakeholders to advocate for high-quality public education and school board governance with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

NSBA regularly works with the administration and Congress on the common challenges facing ALL school board members, whether they reside in our largest cities or our most remote rural areas. Included among these challenges:  

• Providing support for historically disadvantaged students.
• Increasing broadband access and closing the homework gap.
• Ensuring that each classroom is staffed with a highly qualified teacher.
• Providing support for students with disabilities and mental health needs.
• Addressing learning recovery as a result of inequities already existing, but exacerbated by the pandemic.

NSBA also represents its members’ interests before federal and state courts and has participated as amicus curiae in numerous cases addressing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the importance of diversity in public schools, and other legal issues affecting public schools.

NSBA’s resources and networks include the Center for Public Education (CPE), the Conference of State Association Legislative Staff (CSALS), Council of School Attorneys (COSA), Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), National American Indian and Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN), National Black Council of School Board Members (NBC), National Hispanic Council of School Board Members (NHC), and the National School Boards Action Center (NSBAC).

NSBA allows ALL school districts — including those in nonmember states — to attend NSBA convenings and participate in NSBA programs such as Annual Conference, Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), National Connection, the Equity Councils, and the Council of School Attorneys (COSA). Additionally, school board members from districts in member state associations that are in good standing with their state association are eligible for discounted rates for NSBA events; recognition through NSBA individual, district, and state awards; and appearances and presentations at NSBA events.

NSBA and our members will continue to lead the national conversation about public education, advocate for public policies that ensure each student everywhere has access to an excellent public education where they live, create a better understanding of the importance of school boards and the benefits of local governance, and enhance the effectiveness of school boards.

NSBA’s public policy agenda is determined by a Delegate Assembly made up of local school board members who represent their state associations of school boards. NSBA’s Board of Directors translates this policy into action. Programs and services are administered by NSBA’s Executive Director and CEO, and by professional staff headquartered within the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area in Alexandria, Virginia.

Our History  Our Board  Our Leadership Team

Our Members

With members spread across the United States, the Virgin Islands, and Canada, NSBA is the only national organization representing school boards. Our members are state school boards associations and the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands, as well as certain local school boards throughout the United States. State school boards associations are nonprofit organizations that represent local school board members who serve on local school boards and are dedicated to educating every child to his or her fullest potential and committed to leadership for student achievement. Local school board members govern over local school districts serving the nation's 50 million public school students.

State school boards associations offer training and other services to help support school board members in their work. The associations help with policy writing, legal matters, insurance, superintendent searches, and other issues. They also track state legislation and advocate for school boards, local governance, and public schools to state legislatures.

In states that require mandated training for school board members, state school boards associations are the primary authority on training related to governance, policy, and fiduciary responsibility. NSBA provides additional resources to complement the great training and resources delivered by our state association member. Learn more about School Board Members and Local Governance.

NSBA's Core Purpose

1. Strengthen, convene, and provide state school board associations with opportunities to learn about and formalize their collective will on national issues of public policy affecting the nation’s public schools;
2. Provide services to its member state school boards associations that are requested by and tailored to each member state school boards associations’ unique needs, including collaborative professional development and networking opportunities for boards and staff of the National School Boards Association and state school boards associations;
3. Provide national training and professional development through an annual conference for the school boards and staff leadership teams that are members of the member state school boards associations;
4. Coordinate, facilitate, and implement a united, national movement in pursuit of equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. The association shall focus its efforts on: (a)  Advocating for and defending high quality public education and school board governance before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government; and (b)  Positively influencing public opinion regarding such matters.
5. Undertake any such other initiatives or efforts upon which its members agree through deliberative processes specified in the Constitution. 

NSBA Governance

NSBA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of three elected officers, President, President-elect and Secretary-Treasurer; the immediate Past President; fifteen Directors, three from each Region elected by members of the Delegate Assembly from that Region; the chairs of the Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native and Urban Board Councils; and the chair of the Organization of State Association Executive Directors. The chair of the Council of School Attorneys and NSBA’s Executive Director are non-voting members of the Board of Directors. The Delegate Assembly is NSBA’s policy making body.  Learn about NSBA’s leadership, beliefs, policies, resolutions and our strategic plan.

Careers

Consider a career with the National School Boards Association and help secure America’s future while you build your own. Careers with NSBA feature flex time, teleworking and ample vacation and scheduled holidays. We offer a 403(b) plan with matching contributions, as well as medical, dental, and vision care plans.

Learn More About Careers At NSBA