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On-Line Communications Network for Student Leaders Created By National Association of State Boards of Education

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 June 2007, 12:00 CDT

The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) has launched the first fully supported Internet communications forum by a national organization to allow student state education leaders to communicate with their peers from across the country. The Student Leadership Network is the only on-line network accessed exclusively by students that relies solely on their contributions for its content. The forum is the latest feature of NASBE's ongoing project, funded by MetLife Foundation, to encourage leadership development among young people.

"The Student Leadership Network is a revolutionary way for student members on State Boards of Education across the country to communicate with each other," said Jacob Kleinrock, student member of the Tennessee State Board of Education.

"I am excited to talk with fellow student State Board Members about various issues and goals that we share. The Network has given me the opportunity to learn a lot from other student members about what their states are doing," said Brian Frazee, student member on the Maryland State Board of Education.

The forum utilizes a bulletin board format with user names and password protection. A senior NASBE staff member is assigned to moderate the forum and answer students' questions or policy inquiries. In addition to opportunities for students to make general requests and exchange information, five topical areas allow them to share personal experiences as state board representatives, strategize communication with student constituents, enhance their leadership skills, plan media visibility for student leaders, and discuss issues confronting state boards.

"One of the greatest benefits of NASBE membership is the many networking and information sharing opportunities among state board of education members from all over the country. We are proud to be the first national education organization to establish such an on-line network for student leaders. It is helping students to be better state board members, and it is helping NASBE experiment with innovative and effective ways in which to bring state board members together," said Brenda Welburn, NASBE Executive Director.

Earlier this year, NASBE awarded grants to the Maine and Pennsylvania State Boards of Education to support efforts to increase student representation on them. Four other states--Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, and Tennessee--received NASBE grants to enhance communication capabilities between student members and their constituency of fellow students.

NASBE, www.nasbe.org, represents America's state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking; advocate equality of access to educational opportunity; promote excellence in the education of all students; and assure responsible lay governance of education.

MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, create connections between schools and communities and develop leadership. The Foundation works with national nonprofit organizations to develop a variety of initiatives, many of which address issues raised each year in The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit www.metlife.org.

Source: Business Wire

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