National Conference of State Legislatures
For Support Of The Polarization, Partisanship, And Policy-Making Project Case Studies
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Amount$330,000
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Program
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Date Awarded11/21/2014
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Term24 Months
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Type of SupportProject
Overview
This project aims to study the causes of polarization and its effects among state legislatures, examine states that solve problems well despite polarization, and draw lessons that might reduce the impact of polarization in Congress and state legislatures. The Conference will build on its 2014 survey of state legislators in case studies that look at key policymaking factors: deliberation by committees; party caucuses; inclusion of minority members in decision making; obstruction by the minority; cohesion of parties on major votes; social interactions among members; and governor vetoes and orientation toward the legislature. The project will compare states under unified and divided Democratic and Republican governments.
About the Grantee
Grantee Website
www.ncsl.org
Address
7700 East First Place, Denver, CO, 80230-7143, United States
Grants to this Grantee
for building awareness and capacity at the state level for college- and career-readiness reform
The National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization serving state legislators and their staffs, provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing issues. Most states will require legislation and policy changes to fully implement the Common Core State Standards and thereby advance deeper learning. To help this process, the organization will lead national and state workshops and discussions; provide informational materials, updates, and legislative analyses; and develop a road map to help lawmakers understand the timing and choices necessary for Common Core implementation. Through this work, legislators will gain knowledge and capacity concerning college- and career-readiness—including deeper learning skills—and the importance of the Common Core and related student assessments.
for building awareness and capacity at the state level for college- and career-ready reform
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states and its commonwealths and territories, providing research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues; it advocates for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies. The goals of the grant are to build momentum and capacity for major education reform among state legislators--including timely issues such as the common core state standards movement, reallocation of resources for better student outcomes, and the potential for deeper learning skills and knowledge to improve college- and career-readiness. NCSL anticipates engaging legislators and their staff in high-quality discussions about educational improvement, disseminating specific policy strategies that are innovative and effective, and providing opportunities for legislators to share strategies that work for building political coalitions and public support for reform. These activities will be essential to supporting state legislative capacity as the current wave of education reforms moves from the national and federal levels to the states for policy reform, implementation, and funding.
