AASA and Battelle for Kids Announce Strategic Integration to Expand Future-Ready Learning Efforts for Public K-12 Students

AASA’s acquisition of Battelle for Kids’ strategic assets and staff ensures long-term sustainability and growth while maintaining the impact of the leading Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice® design process. 

Alexandria, Va. – March 6, 2025 - AASA, The School Superintendents Association, announces today its acquisition of strategic assets from Battelle for Kids, a national, not-for-profit organization committed to empowering educators so that every child in every community has the practical and life skills they need to succeed in the real world. The transition will be effective July 1, 2025.

This integration positions AASA for long-term stability and growth, enabling it to expand its reach and deepen its impact. With increased scalability and broader implementation of Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait to Practice^® it strengthens AASA’s ability to support educational leaders, enrich professional development opportunities, and foster strategic partnerships. It will also assist in providing high-quality public-school education supports to leaders and learners with student-centered, best in class education systems.

“Battelle for Kids and AASA share a common mission and serve a similar audience, both organizations are dedicated to transforming school systems for educators and students nationwide. That’s why I’m thrilled to expand and scale the impactful work Battelle for Kids has championed,” said Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA. “As a lifelong educator and former superintendent, I look forward to advancing this work even further—creating greater opportunities and pathways for every student, in every community.”

With the integration of Battelle for Kids assets, AASA is enhancing its support for school communities, furthering its commitment to advancing high-quality public education for all students. It will heighten AASA’s role in national education discussions, expand access to professional development and foster even more innovation in the field.

“We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead with the strategic integration into AASA,” says Mike Duncan, CEO of Battelle for Kids. “Dr. David Schuler’s vision and commitment to preparing future-ready students fits perfectly with the work BFK has led for more than a decade around Portrait of a Graduate, Portrait to Practice® and the EdLeader21 network. By joining forces with AASA, the work of Battelle for Kids will be amplified, spread, and scaled at an even greater level, impacting more students and communities nationwide.”

As a lifelong educator and former superintendent, I look forward to advancing this work even further—creating greater opportunities and pathways for every student, in every community.

This move assists AASA in serving school leaders and districts nationwide, leveraging the best of both organizations to drive data-driven innovation, leadership development and best-practice learning models ensuring that students emerge from high school ready for real life, in the real world. AASA provides the "how" and “who” through leadership and advocacy, while Battelle for Kids’ framework delivers a researched based "what" with innovative solutions and research based best practices. The synergy results in a stronger influence on educational policy and practice, leveraging AASA's policy expertise and Battelle for Kids' practical solutions.

Battelle for Kids remains committed to delivering high-quality support and partnership to its current clients, honoring all existing contracts. Throughout the integration process with AASA, which will take place from March to June 2025, the organization will ensure a seamless transition while maintaining its standards of excellence.

To learn more about the integration and follow updates on its progress, visit www.battelleforkids.org and www.aasa.org.

About AASA 
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org. 

Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization helping to empower educators so that every student has hope, resilience, and the knowledge and skills to be future-ready. BFK has helped hundreds of school districts and state agencies design, launch, and bring their shared community visions—the Portrait of a Graduate—to life, impacting the learning experiences of millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit bfk.org