Legislative Resources

NASBE Launches Online State Policy Database of College, Career, and Civic Readiness Regulations Governing Education Systems across the United States

Access the State Policy Database.

The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is pleased to announce the launch of its State Policy Database, an online collection of regulations and practices that govern state education systems in all states and US territories. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) shifts decision making power back to the states on such things as school improvement, teacher evaluation, and state summative assessments. But few people know who in each state actually gets to make those decisions. In many cases, it is the state board of education. As ESSA implementation gets under way, NASBE’s new database can help education stakeholders navigate important changes in state policy.

How to Advocate

Parent speaking with lawmakerLearn how you can be an effective advocate.

To be an effective advocate for individuals with learning disabilities, it is important to understand the law and the differences between what is required by law and what is not. This resource will explain the three federal laws, IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and ADA, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as how to advocate in Washington.

Find your Federal and State Legislative Information

US Capital Dome

Find your Senator or Congressman in your Area

In addition to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate, the Congressional Record, Committee Reports, Summary of Bills and their status, and Current Activity can all be accessed. Your state legislature can be reached under the menu item, More Legislative Information. Click on State Legislature Websites and select your state.

Federal legislation can be accessed via the Library of Congress “THOMAS” website. THOMAS lists members of the House and Senate congressional committees, the Congressional Record which gives verbatim transcripts of speeches and debates, summaries of bills, their status, current legislative activity and any committee reports. For more information go the the THOMAS website.

Find your Committee and Subcommittees for the U.S. House of Representative and U.S. Senate

us-supreme-court-fountaiin
Contact the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate committees and subcommittees.

The Education and the Workforce Committees in the House of Representatives oversee programs that affect hundreds of millions of Americansfrom school teachers and small business owners to students and retirees. The Senate Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues including Head Start, child care and child support such as the Child Care & Development Block Grant, the Family Medical Leave Act, National Service, women and children’s healthcare, and other issues involving children, youth, and families.