National School Boards Association

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The National School Boards Association is a national taxpayer-funded lobbying association. Founded in 1940, it seeks to improve the quality of public education through leadership from school boards. "NSBA represents its State Association members and their 95,000 local school board members, virtually all of whom are elected. These local officials govern 14,500+ local school districts serving the nation's 50 million public school students. NSBA policy is determined by a 150-member Delegate Assembly of local school board members. The 25-member Board of Directors translates this policy into action. Programs and services are administered by the NSBA executive director and a 140-person staff." [1]

[edit] Membership dues

In order to obtain membership in NASB, a school board must be a member to the state affiliate. The dues combined can total $17,000 for a district, which pays with district funds.[2]

[edit] Legislative Issues

The National School Boards Association states its lobbying priorities in its “Legislative Issues: 110th Congress”[3]

[edit] Improve the No Child Left Behind Act

The National School Boards Association wants the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. The NSBA's plan was incorporated in Rep. Don Young’s H.R. 648.[4]

The NSBA believes that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act "established a rigorous but theoretical accountability system" for public schools, which means that student performance is measured from a single assessment and therefore resulting solutions are often overbroad and not targeted appropriately. These solutions have not proven to have a significantly improve student and school performance. And after five years under NCLB, schools are still struggling to comply with this complicated law. [5]

[edit] Increase Federal Funding for Education

NSBA wants an increase Title I and IDEA funding by $2.5 billion each this year. NSBA also advocates a rejection of proposed cuts or eliminations to vocational education and education technology, as well as rejection of all private school voucher proposals. [6]

[edit] Strengthen Teacher Quality

The association wants No Child Left Behind reauthorization and Higher Education reauthorization.

NSBA believes Congress should[7]:

  • Give grants and other federal incentives to school districts and states, particularly schools that are difficult to staff, to help these schools recruit and retain quality teachers.
  • Improve NCLB's teacher requirements and incorporate more flexibility
  • Redirect some of NCLB's sanctions for professional development programs
  • Support alternative certification programs
  • Bolster teacher preparation programs
  • Produce research and best practices on teaching

[edit] Expand and Improve Early Education

The National School Boards Association wants a new federal grant program for expanding and sustaining universal preschool programs, as well as increased funding for the Head Start program.[8]

[edit] Protect Medicaid Reimbursement for Schools

NSBA wants school districts' ability to claim reimbursement for administrative and transportation expenses related to services they provide to Medicaid-eligible children with disabilities preserved.

[edit] Oppose Private School Vouchers

NSBA wants Congress to oppose any effort to subsidize private school tuition with taxpayer dollars via vouchers and tuition tax credits.

[edit] Rejection of Private School Vouchers

NSBA wants Congress to reject all private school vouchers that would take funds away from public schools.

[edit] Protect and Strengthen the E-rate Program

The organization sees that E-rate should continue being well-funded.

[edit] Make Support for Public Education a Priority in Global Competitiveness Bills

NSBA wants federal assistance to school districts to strengthen math, science and technology programs while still allowing for the increasing federal funding for existing K-12 education programs.

[edit] Support Better Student Nutrition / Oppose New Government Mandates

The organization opposes expanding federal regulations that dictate nutrition standards to local school districts.

[edit] Income and Expenses

National School Boards Association
Year Total Expenses Total Income Membership dues
(included in Total Income)
2007[9] $24,727,186 $25,066,951 $2,388,656
2006[10] $25,836,206 $25,195,339 $2,309,893
2005[11] $24,067,960 $23,714,226 $2,221,284

[edit] State chapters

See National School Boards Association members list

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ National School Boards Association Website: About NSBA
  2. ↑ Michigan Education Report, "Grand Rapids district parts ways with school board associations", Fall 2002
  3. ↑ Key Issues
  4. ↑ Bedford BOE Passes Resolution in support of H.R. 648
  5. ↑ No Child Left Behind
  6. ↑ Federal Funding for Education
  7. ↑ Teacher Quality
  8. ↑ Early Education
  9. ↑ 2007 990 Form(pdf)
  10. ↑ 2006 990 Form(pdf)
  11. ↑ 2005 990 Form(pdf)
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