State of the Association 2020
Section One
Transformational Leadership in 2020 and Beyond
A Commitment to Supporting, Informing, and Complementing
the Mission of Our Members Who Serve School Boards
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49 state school board associations and the U.S. Virgin Islands![]()
NSBA members serve more than 13,000 elected and appointed school boards![]()
School boards serve more than 50 million public school children
49 state school board associations and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Since I became NSBA’s president last spring, the pandemic has spurred all of us to transform the way we work, lead, and learn. NSBA’s essential transformation is grounded in our deep commitment to serving the federation of school board associations and the school board members and students they represent.
— 2020-21 NSBA President Charlie Wilson
It is with passion and dedication that I look forward to a new year for public education, the federation, and our country. As your 2021-22 president, I will be relentless in ensuring NSBA continues to significantly transform, reflecting the realities and unique needs of our vital federation of school board associations.
— 2021-22 NSBA President Viola Garcia
Now in our 80th year
we remain public schools’ most influential advocate,
advancing and shaping policy on behalf of the
entire NSBA federation.
Section Two
Action in Times of Crises
Advocated for Federal Pandemic Relief Funding
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Worked to secure $67 billion for K-12 public schools in the relief packages Congress passed in 2020.![]()
Advocated for funding to eliminate the Homework Gap, giving more children high-speed internet access for distance learning.
Provided Timely, Relevant Information
Publications
Webinars & Podcasts
Online Resources
Initiated High-Impact Programs
Established DIRE in June 2020 in response to the continued racial disparities in school systems.
Offers support and training on equity issues for state school board associations and school boards.
Launched the Public School Transformation Now! campaign to provide a more student-centered and personalized learning approach.
Section Three
Member-Focused Resources and Solutions
Spotlight on Member Service
4 million masks were made available to students via state associations
through the Masks for Kids campaign with Bella+Canvas and Serena Williams
20% increase in state association BuyBoard participation
9 amicus briefs were filed by NSBA and were joined by a total of 19 state associations
25 equity-focused trainings, presentations, and articles
7 Center for Safe Schools presentations, trainings, and content support
120 HOURS OF STAFF TIME preparing and presenting legal presentations for state associations
20 NSBA executive leadership presentations
and presence on show floors at state association convenings
14 ASBJ article reprint requests from state associations
80% of the member associations participated in the new NSBA Leadership
Enrichment Series of monthly facilitated professional development opportunities
Expanded our repository of national and state-specific
research data for state association executive directors and staff
Provided essential insights into congressional and
administrative actions at 26 member conferences, meetings, and webinars
Trusted Source of Essential Information and Resources
Hosted National Convenings for State Associations and Their Members
In February 2020, school leaders gathered in Washington, D.C.
563
Registrants
763
Registrants
Fall meetings shifted to a virtual format, allowing NSBA to continue to deliver timely content for attendees in the safety of their homes.
609
Registrants
394
Registrants
196
Registrants
Section Four
Amplified the National Voice Through Federal and Legal Advocacy
National School Boards Action Center (NSBAC) Calls to Action
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9,286 messages to Congress from NSBAC Calls to Action![]()
816 Facebook shares![]()
372 Twitter shares
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3,511 advocates![]()
88% of state CSALS members participated in the Oct. 5–6 CSALS Virtual Fall Conference
Helped School Boards Navigate Quickly Evolving Legal Issues
Briefed members on key legal cases and issues impacting schools.
58,745 web page views of the Legal Guide, COVID-19:
Preparing for Widespread Illness in Your School Community
Legal Advocacy Work Through NSBA’s Amicus Briefs
9 amicus briefs filed
3 U.S. Supreme Court
4 U.S. Courts of Appeals
1 U.S. District Court
1 State Supreme Court
29 organizations
joined the briefs, including
state school boards associations.
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NSBA helped the South Carolina School Boards Association defeat its governor’s voucher program,
and now 32 million in federal relief funds will go where it was intended—to public schools.![]()
NSBA defended public school funding in the CARES Act from a U.S. Department of Education rule
that would have redirected tens of millions of federal relief dollars away from public schools.![]()
NSBA procured pro bono writing assistance for its amicus briefs valued at nearly $300,000.
NSBA helped the South Carolina School Boards Association defeat its governor’s voucher program, Section Five
Expanded Our National Media Reach
Expanded Media Engagement Supported a Stronger Advocacy Stance
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Extensive national media coverage for NSBA and the state associations reached 4.9 billion.
418%increase
in monthly average media mentions
375%increase
in monthly average media views
Increased Social Media Engagement Drove
Connections Among Our Community
37%increase
in average monthly engagements
71%increase
in average monthly posts
24%increase
in average monthly engagements
62%increase
in average monthly posts
Top Social Posts for 2020
Section Six
Leading for the Future
NSBA Launched the
Strategic Learning Initiative
The initiative will:
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Help NSBA transform and innovate its programs, products, and services.![]()
Develop the organizational capability to adapt to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
It includes the involvement of state association
leaders, NSBA board members, and staff.
Look Ahead to 2021
Work with President Joe Biden, the U.S. Secretary of Education, and
the administration on critical issues affecting school boards and public school children
Strengthen the federation through increased member support
Provide tools, resources, and research
to help school boards tackle important issues
Convene education leaders both online and in person