Education is a $600 billion-a-year enterprise, but the investments states make in education will not benefit students unless they are physically and mentally present in the classroom. Too many students are not. In this report, the National Association of State Boards of Education asks policymakers to promote student engagement through a suite of policy changes. The report explores the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of student engagement and the role peers, educators, school environments, parents and communities play in helping students become invested in their own learning. The report finds that an educational system that more meaningfully engages students will require state policymakers to act. Five policy actions are recommended: (1) Promote measures of educational success that emphasize student engagement; (2) Back an educator preparation, learning, and support continuum that empowers school leaders, teachers, and other staff to facilitate more engaging experiences for students; (3) Advance school climate guidelines that build an environment more conducive to student engagement; (4) Invest in school structures that help personalize student learning and thereby expand student engagement; and (5) Encourage collaboration between schools, parents and other community stakeholders to address students' comprehensive needs. Several states have made great progress toward these goals: Illinois routinely gathers student feedback on school learning conditions and climate, while Maryland is developing a statewide measurement system to assess school safety and student engagement. North Carolina and Delaware have established professional learning communities that foster teacher collaboration. Kansas has made headway on developing social, emotional and character development standards. Kentucky and others have invested in personalized learning strategies, and West Virginia and Connecticut seek out constructive community partnerships and have established structures for more open communications. An appendix provides video links.