Dotti Love-Wade and Dorothy Douglas, members of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, completed three days’ of intensive training to help new board members become highly effective state education policymakers. The training was provided by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) at no charge.

Ms. Love-Wade and Ms. Dorothy Douglas joined state board members from 21 states and territories in sessions that covered basic boardsmanship issues such as the responsibilities of boards and their members, the sequence of policy development, and using Robert’s Rules of Order, as well as more advanced subjects such as how to provide effective state leadership through board actions.

“Knowledgeable and empowered state board members are vital to the successful development and application of education policy and standards at the state level,” said NASBE Executive Director Brenda Welburn. “We appreciate the efforts of these volunteer leaders, who give their time, energy and expertise to their states, and we work to support them not only at the outset of their education policymaking careers, but throughout their service.”

State boards of education are the embodiment of the American tradition of citizen involvement and authority over public education. State boards are responsible for setting statewide educational standards, including high school graduation requirements, teacher professional qualifications and establishing statewide testing programs.