The Policy Hour Series is designed to equip school board members with the tools and knowledge they need to stay informed and engaged in the fast-changing world of federal education policy. This webinar series is an exclusive member benefit. Click here to learn more about NSBA's membership programs.

Upcoming Session:

The Policy Hour — 2.24.26

Governing Artificial Intelligence in K–12 Education — Federal, State, and Local Policy Levers 
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping teaching, learning, and district operations, and school board members are increasingly called upon to govern technologies influenced by policy decisions at every level of government. This webinar is designed to help school board members understand how federal, state, and local policy levers intersect — and how boards can lead responsibly within this evolving landscape. 

Join us to explore how AI is currently being used across K–12 systems, from instructional tools and personalized learning platforms to data systems, staffing, and administrative decision-making. The discussion will center on how federal actions, state policy choices, and local governance decisions collectively shape what districts can adopt, how tools are regulated, and how risks are managed.

Participants will examine:

  • Federal levers, including congressional activity, federal funding and appropriations, civil rights enforcement, student data privacy expectations, procurement guidance, and emerging national AI frameworks
  • State levers, such as legislation, regulations, statewide guidance, procurement rules, and alignment with state standards and accountability systems
  • Local levers, including board policy adoption, superintendent oversight, vendor contracts, implementation guardrails, community engagement, and alignment with district values 

Register Here 

Other Past Sessions:

The Policy Hour — 12.2.25

50 Years of IDEA: Navigating One of the Biggest Shifts in Its History
Education leaders, legal experts, and policy advocates examined: 

  • What the proposed change means for school districts, students with disabilities, and families 

  • How the shift could impact compliance, funding, and enforcement of federal protections 

  • Key legal and governance questions surrounding IDEA’s future under a different federal agency 

  • The potential implications on equity, access, and school board decision-making 

  • Advocacy strategies to ensure that the original intent of IDEA—providing every child with a free, appropriate public education—remains intact 

Watch Recording

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The Policy Hour — 10.28.25

Navigating the Federal Voucher Program: Implications for Public Education and School Board Advocacy
With several states already opting into the program and the U.S. Treasury Department set to initiate formal rulemaking in 2027, local boards of education are facing urgent questions about oversight, transparency, and accountability. Panelists shared insights on how school boards can proactively engage in advocacy efforts, ensure public accountability, and protect the integrity of public education amid this shifting policy environment.  

Watch Recording

Passcode: NSBAPolicyHour2

The Policy Hour — 9.30.25
This inaugural session introduced NSBA’s new Managing Director of Government Relations, Dr. Phelton Moss, and provided members with timely updates on the federal budget process as Congress worked toward the Sept. 30 deadline.

Watch Recording

Passcode: t1#5kwW6