The chief state school officer is a superintendent that operates at the state level. They can also be referred to as a commissioner of education within a state. The chief state school officer is appointed by the governor or, in some cases, elected by the public. They have frequent access to the governor and are able to use this privilege to increase their influence over policymaking. 

The chief state school officer has important duties that include the development of educational policy, solving problems related to education, improving the quality of education offered within the state, offering ideas and helpful solutions, etc. They also have the important duty of collecting information concerning the current condition of education within the state and reporting that information effectively to the governor, the state board of education, and the general public. 

Though the chief state school officer does not micromanage the affairs within their territory, their influence over policy changes and regulation is felt at every level of the educational system within their state.