The Policy Hour Series is designed to equip school board members with the tools and knowledge they need to stay informed and engaged in the fast-changing world of federal education policy. This webinar series is an exclusive member benefit. Click here to learn more about NSBA's membership programs.

Upcoming Session:

The Policy Hour — 4.28.26

Expanding, Strengthening, and Retaining the Educator Workforce — Federal, State, and Local Solutions

Across the country, school systems are facing persistent and uneven educator workforce challenges that threaten student outcomes and long-term system stability. Addressing teacher shortages — particularly in high-poverty schools, rural communities, and special education classrooms — requires coordinated action across all levels of government.

Join us to examine how federal, state, and local policy levers can be aligned to expand, strengthen, and retain a diverse, high-quality educator workforce.

The webinar will explore the root causes of educator shortages, including burnout, compensation challenges, working conditions, and limited access to high-quality preparation pathways. Discussion will center on how federal policy can serve as a catalyst — supporting recruitment, preparation, and retention — while reinforcing the critical role of state systems and local governance in implementation.

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Other Past Sessions:

The Policy Hour — 3.24.26

What's Happening in Congress

Congress is advancing major bills, conducting oversight hearings as it relates to returning education back to the states, and signaling new national priorities, like repealing the federal voucher tax credit. Join Dr. Phelton C. Moss, NSBA’s Managing Director for Legal and Advocacy, for this month’s edition of The Policy Hour. This session will focus on the latest developments coming out of Congress and what they mean for school board members nationwide.

This briefing is designed to provide school board members with clear, timely, and actionable insights into federal activity on Capitol Hill. We will break down recent congressional developments, track movement on key education-related legislation, and highlight emerging trends shaping the national policy landscape.

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Password: 2o26$-13 

The Policy Hour — 2.24.26

Governing Artificial Intelligence in K–12 Education — Federal, State, and Local Policy Levers 

Education leaders, legal experts, and policy advocates examined:

  • Federal levers, including congressional activity, federal funding and appropriations, civil rights enforcement, student data privacy expectations, procurement guidance, and emerging national AI frameworks
  • State levers, such as legislation, regulations, statewide guidance, procurement rules, and alignment with state standards and accountability systems
  • Local levers, including board policy adoption, superintendent oversight, vendor contracts, implementation guardrails, community engagement, and alignment with district values 

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The Policy Hour — 12.2.25

50 Years of IDEA: Navigating One of the Biggest Shifts in Its History
Education leaders, legal experts, and policy advocates examined: 

  • What the proposed change means for school districts, students with disabilities, and families 

  • How the shift could impact compliance, funding, and enforcement of federal protections 

  • Key legal and governance questions surrounding IDEA’s future under a different federal agency 

  • The potential implications on equity, access, and school board decision-making 

  • Advocacy strategies to ensure that the original intent of IDEA—providing every child with a free, appropriate public education—remains intact 

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The Policy Hour — 10.28.25

Navigating the Federal Voucher Program: Implications for Public Education and School Board Advocacy
With several states already opting into the program and the U.S. Treasury Department set to initiate formal rulemaking in 2027, local boards of education are facing urgent questions about oversight, transparency, and accountability. Panelists shared insights on how school boards can proactively engage in advocacy efforts, ensure public accountability, and protect the integrity of public education amid this shifting policy environment.  

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The Policy Hour — 9.30.25
This inaugural session introduced NSBA’s new Managing Director of Government Relations, Dr. Phelton Moss, and provided members with timely updates on the federal budget process as Congress worked toward the Sept. 30 deadline.

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