The SBE is charged with implementing educational policy and providing both governance and supervision to all schools located within the state. Typically, the SBE performs the following functions:
• Establish the general goals, vision, and direction for education in the state.
• Determine the curriculum that will be taught in classrooms.
• Set the standards by which students’ achievement will be measured.
• Establish guidelines regarding the operation of all elementary and secondary schools, and determine how programs will be regulated within individual schools.
• Advise the governor/legislature about necessary changes to policy.
• Report to both the public and the governor/legislature on the status of education in the state.
The SBE determines the appropriateness of educational policy, while the chief state school officer ensures that approved policies are implemented. Typically, the governor appoints members to the SBE, but in some states, the public elects members. Generally, SBEs or the equivalent bodies have between 9 and 15 members.