The purpose of the study was to determine how the California School Board Association's (CSBA) Masters in Governance (MIG) training program leads to more effective school board leadership and governance. This study employed the framework of authors Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal, the CSBA, and the Lighthouse Inquiry of the Iowa Association of School Boards. The participants in the study were superintendents and school board members from the following southern California counties: Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego. The research design involved a review of literature, surveys, interviews, and observations. The data collection entailed survey collection and follow-up interviews with board members and superintendents. This study sought to understand the factors that impacted the decision of school board members to complete a school board training program. The study also focused on how the MIG training program equipped board members to exhibit the behaviors of effective governance and, finally, how a mandate for school board training could impact school board governance. The findings indicated that a school board training mandate would lead to more effective school board leadership and governance. The implications are that school board practice can be improved through training and that board members should seek training. The benefits of training are substantial with regard to school board governance and leadership. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]