The National Association of State Boards of Education was established 50 years ago, and at our Annual Conference this month we will celebrate the creation of this unique organization and extend sincere appreciation to the thousands of individuals who have supported NASBE, but more importantly, have served this nation and its students as state education policymakers. During a school board members’ convention in 1958, several state board members determined that their policymaking roles and responsibilities were distinct from the challenges faced by local board members. They called for the establishment of a separate organization dedicated solely to the needs of State Boards of Education. From this meeting, NASBE was born.

Since then, NASBE has been convening state board members and providing exceptional professional services to the nation’s lay education policymakers as the issues they confront have grown more complex and challenging. Whether elected or appointed, the common experience of state board service has created an environment of shared responsibility among state board members for all of this nation’s children and students. Fostered by NASBE’s climate of genuine respect for diverse opinions and a healthy practice of pushing the envelope, members of state boards have explored policy issues and questioned the status quo in ways that have resulted in thoughtful and innovative policy approaches to some of the nation’s most pressing educational problems.

Through the stewardship of its members, NASBE has often preceded the conventional education community in recognizing and addressing undeveloped and emerging issues. NASBE demonstrated leadership with study groups on special education inclusion, technology, school leadership, early childhood education, and high school and middle school reform. It has shown a willingness to talk about issues like HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and obesity because the health and wellbeing of students and their families have a direct impact on student performance. NASBE conducted a commission on financial literacy three years ago that warned of personal and institutional practices that threatened the financial security of our children. NASBE has advocated student leadership and has encouraged states to include students on boards of education.

A dedicated and talented staff has (would you be amenable to “supported” here? It’s just less cumbersome) the work of NASBE for the last half century, but it would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of our membership. It is through that vision, dedication and commitment that we have been able to play a small part in serving our country and its students and for that privilege, we thank you.

Happy Birthday NASBE.

Brenda Lilienthal Welburn
Executive Director