The chief state school officer is directly responsible to the SBE or equivalent body. The title of this position varies among different states and may be referred to as the state superintendent or commissioner of education, serving the same function in some states. Either the governor or the SBE appoints an individual for this position in some states, whereas other states elect this official by public vote.
The chief state school officer is frequently a member of the governor’s cabinet and can, therefore, exert his or her influence on policy and decision making directly with the governor. An elected chief state school officer may be less influenced by the governor’s opinions on and views about education in the state.
The principal duties of the chief state school officer are related to educational policy setting and to ameliorating any education-related issues that may arise. The chief state school officer strives to improve education and sets task forces to delve into issues and to propose solutions. The officer also coordinates studies to determine the overall status of education within the state and then communicates these findings to the governor, the legislature, the SBE, and the general public. Although the chief state school officer has very little direct authority over educational personnel at the local level, his or her influence is evidenced through policy and regulatory changes.
State boards of education exert a powerful influence over teachers and schools by creating education policy and providing leadership. Through adopting educational policies and setting standards for educational initiatives, the board provides the direction required to allow teachers to prepare today’s students for a victorious future. Each state board varies in size, and their members are drawn from districts throughout the state. The commissioner or superintendent of education serves as the chief executive officer for the state and usually supervises the board.
The actions of these individuals have direct implications for the day-to-day lives of teachers. The board has direct oversight over teacher licensure and adopts and sets licensure policies. They also decide what should be included in the curriculum and how students should be instructed. They also provide financial oversight over the states’ K–12 schools and set teacher salaries.