National School Boards Association

About NSBA

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their member districts across the United States. NSBA mission is "working with and through our state associations, to advocate for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership." NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective in working with federal government agencies and national organizations that impact education, and provides vital information and services to State Associations of school boards throughout the nation.

NSBA advocates local school boards as the ultimate expression of grassroots democracy. NSBA supports the capacity of each school board, acting on behalf of and in close concert with the people of its community, to envision the future of education in its community, to establish a structure and environment that allow all students to reach their maximum potential, to provide accountability to the community on performance in the schools, and to serve as the key community advocate for children and youth and their public schools.

Founded in 1940, NSBA represents its State Association members and their more than 90,000 local school board members, virtually all of whom are elected. These local officials govern 13,809 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 who represent their State Associations of school boards. The 25-member Board of Directors translates this policy into action. Programs and services are administered by the NSBA executive director and a 100-person staff. NSBA's office is located in metropolitan Washington, D.C.