Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to improve education policy in the United States by facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing among state governments, federal government agencies, and other stakeholders, including the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, and Council of Chief State School Officers. The organization was founded in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Governor John W. Gardner of California, with the goal of promoting educational reform and improving student achievement through the work of James B. Conant, John Dewey, and Ralph W. Tyler. The Education Commission of the States has worked with numerous prominent educators and policymakers, including Diane Ravitch, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Arne Duncan, to address key issues in K-12 education and higher education, such as No Child Left Behind Act, Every Student Succeeds Act, and Common Core State Standards Initiative.

● History

The Education Commission of the States was established in 1965 as a response to the growing need for educational reform in the United States, with the support of National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and Phi Delta Kappa. The organization's early work focused on issues such as desegregation, bilingual education, and special education, with input from experts like Brown v. Board of Education, Lau v. Nichols, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Over the years, the Education Commission of the States has continued to evolve and expand its focus to address emerging issues in education policy, including accountability, assessment, and teacher preparation, as seen in the work of National Council on Teacher Quality, Teach For America, and New Teacher Project. The organization has worked closely with state departments of education, school districts, and other stakeholders, such as Chicago Public Schools, New York City Department of Education, and Los Angeles Unified School District, to develop and implement effective education policies and programs, including Head Start, Title I, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the Education Commission of the States is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among state governments, federal government agencies, and other stakeholders to improve education policy and student achievement, with the guidance of National Assessment of Educational Progress, Program for International Student Assessment, and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. The organization's objectives include providing technical assistance and research support to state education agencies and school districts, as well as promoting policy innovation and best practices in education, as seen in the work of Harvard Graduate School of Education, Stanford Graduate School of Education, and University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education. The Education Commission of the States also seeks to foster collaboration and partnership among education stakeholders, including teachers unions, school administrators, and community organizations, such as National Parent Teacher Association, American Federation of School Administrators, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

● Organization_and_Structure

The Education Commission of the States is a non-partisan, non-profit organization governed by a board of directors composed of state education officials, legislators, and other education stakeholders, including representatives from National Association of State Boards of Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Secondary School Principals. The organization is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and has a staff of education experts and policy analysts who work to support the organization's mission and objectives, with input from RAND Corporation, Urban Institute, and American Institutes for Research. The Education Commission of the States also has a network of state representatives and partners who work to advance the organization's goals and objectives at the state level, including California Department of Education, Texas Education Agency, and New York State Education Department.

● Policy_Initiatives

The Education Commission of the States has launched numerous policy initiatives over the years to address key issues in education policy, including accountability, assessment, and teacher preparation, with the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Ford Foundation. The organization has worked to promote policy innovation and best practices in education, such as personalized learning, competency-based education, and early childhood education, as seen in the work of National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Head Start Association, and Zero to Three. The Education Commission of the States has also provided technical assistance and research support to state education agencies and school districts to help them develop and implement effective education policies and programs, including Common Core State Standards Initiative, Next Generation Science Standards, and Advanced Placement.

● State_Membership_and_Participation

The Education Commission of the States has a membership of state governments and education stakeholders from across the United States, including Alabama State Department of Education, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, and Arizona Department of Education. The organization provides technical assistance and research support to its member states, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking among education stakeholders, such as National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The Education Commission of the States also facilitates collaboration and partnership among its member states to address common education challenges and share best practices in education policy and program implementation, including National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, and Council of Chief State School Officers.

● Research_and_Publications

The Education Commission of the States conducts research and publishes reports and briefs on key issues in education policy, including accountability, assessment, and teacher preparation, with the input of National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The organization's research and publications are designed to provide education stakeholders with timely and relevant information to inform education policy and program development, as seen in the work of Brookings Institution, Center for American Progress, and Education Week. The Education Commission of the States also provides data analysis and technical assistance to state education agencies and school districts to help them develop and implement effective education policies and programs, including Data Quality Campaign, National Center for Education Accountability, and Standard & Poor's.

Category:Education organizations