State Boards of Education Directory

Primary Authority: In 31 states, state boards have primary authority over state summative assessments.

ESSA Compliance: Boards approve accountability criteria for school report cards as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Accountability Systems: Develop integrated local, state, and federal accountability systems using multiple measures of school performance.

Subgroup Monitoring: Ensure accountability for student subgroups including racial/ethnic groups, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English language learners.

Board Authority: In 21 states, the state board appoints the chief state school officer—potentially their most important responsibility.

Selection Varies:

• 21 appointed by state boards of education
• 16 appointed by the governor
• 12 elected by voters
• 1 appointed by state executive-level secretary

Oversight: State boards oversee all aspects of preparation, certification, and standards of conduct for public school educators.

Texas Example: State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) regulates certification and continuing education, with all SBEC rules requiring SBOE approval.

Standards: Establish qualifications for professional education personnel including teachers, administrators, and counselors.

Preparation Programs: Approve and accredit teacher and administrator preparation programs.

Authority: Most state boards establish standards for accreditation of local school districts.

Standards: Set minimum requirements for district operations, academic programs, facilities, and personnel.

Review Process: Conduct periodic reviews of district compliance with accreditation standards.

Consequences: Authority to place districts on probation or remove accreditation for non-compliance.

Authorizer Role: Many state boards serve as charter school authorizers, deciding who can start new charter schools and setting performance expectations.

New Hampshire: Proposed charters can be authorized through local districts or directly through State Board (reviewed in January and June).

Washington: State Board approves school districts that apply to be charter school authorizers and participates through Charter School Commission.

Oversight: Monitor school performance and decide whether charters remain open or close at contract end.

Varies by State: Budget authority differs significantly based on state constitutional and statutory frameworks.

Colorado: State Board approves Department of Education budget and employs department personnel.

Texas: SBOE allocates funds from Permanent School Fund and oversees investment managers.

California: County superintendents examine adopted budgets for districts; State Superintendent examines county office budgets.

Authority: Boards establish graduation requirements including courses, credits, and assessments needed for high school diplomas.

Diploma Types: Define different diploma options (standard, honors, career-technical, etc.).

Flexibility: May allow alternative pathways or modifications for students with disabilities.

Eleven states have fully elected state boards of education (12 if including the District of Columbia). The majority of states have governor-appointed boards. Four states use a mixed model with both elected and appointed members (Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and Ohio).

Minnesota and Wisconsin do not have traditional state boards. New Mexico has an elected Public Education Commission, but it serves in an advisory capacity only.

Only two states do not have a traditional state board of education: Minnesota and Wisconsin. In these states, education policy is managed through other governmental structures.

New Mexico has an elected Public Education Commission, but it functions in an advisory capacity only and does not have the full policy-making authority of a traditional state board.

State boards of education have several key responsibilities:

• Adopting learning standards (in 45 states)
• Approving state assessments (primary authority in 31 states)
• Appointing the chief state school officer (in 21 states)
• Establishing teacher certification requirements
• Accrediting school districts and educator preparation programs
• Setting graduation requirements
• Developing accountability systems
• Authorizing charter schools (in many states)

Most state board meetings are open to the public with multiple access options:

• In-person: Attend meetings at the board's meeting location (addresses on board websites)
• Live streaming: Many states offer YouTube or other live video streams
• Virtual access: Some boards provide webinar or Zoom access (may require registration)
• Archived recordings: Most boards post meeting videos online after the fact

Check your state board's website for specific meeting schedules, locations, and access instructions.

Yes, state boards welcome public input through several channels:

• Public comment at meetings: Most boards allow public testimony during meetings (typically 2-5 minutes per speaker)
• Written comments: Boards accept written testimony via email or online portals
• Public comment periods: Extended 60-day comment periods when developing major policies
• Public hearings: Formal hearings held before adopting significant policy changes
• Focus groups: Some boards invite educators and stakeholders to participate in policy development

Check your state board's website for specific procedures and requirements for providing public comment.

Qualifications vary significantly by state but commonly include:

• Residency: Must be a resident of the state and often the specific district represented (typically 6 months to 1 year)
• Age: Most states require minimum age 18; Texas requires 26 years old
• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required in all states
• Voter registration: Must be registered to vote in the district
• Education: Oklahoma requires high school diploma or GED; most states have no specific education requirement

For appointed positions, governors typically seek individuals with education expertise, community leadership, or business experience. Check your state's specific requirements on the board's website.

Term lengths vary by state:

• 4-year terms: Most common (California, Michigan, Colorado, Ohio)
• 2-3 year terms: Texas, Florida, and some other states
• Staggered terms: Most boards use staggered terms to ensure continuity

Term limits: Most states do not impose term limits. Notable exceptions include Ohio (maximum two consecutive 4-year terms). Texas has no term limits. Local districts may adopt their own term limit policies.

Three major national organizations provide support and resources:

• NASBE (National Association of State Boards of Education): Founded 1958, the only organization dedicated solely to state boards. Provides training, research, and policy support. Website: nasbe.org
• CCSSO (Council of Chief State School Officers): Nonpartisan organization of state education chiefs. Focuses on education workforce, standards, assessment, and accountability. Administers National Teacher of the Year. Website: ccsso.org
• ECS (Education Commission of the States): Interstate compact founded 1965. Tracks policy across all 50 states and facilitates information exchange. Website: ecs.org

State boards set statewide policy and standards, while local school boards govern individual districts within those state parameters.

State Board Responsibilities:

• Establish statewide learning standards
• Set graduation requirements
• Adopt accountability systems
• Accredit school districts
• Certify teachers

Local Board Responsibilities:

• Hire superintendent and district staff
• Adopt district budget
• Select curriculum (within state standards)
• Make local policy decisions
• Oversee district operations

Local boards function as legal agencies of the state, deriving their authority from state constitution, laws, and judicial decisions.

Authority varies by state law. In many states, state boards serve as charter school authorizers or oversee the authorization process.

Examples:

• New Hampshire: State Board directly authorizes charter schools; applications reviewed in January and June
• Washington: State Board approves school districts that apply to be charter authorizers and participates through Charter School Commission
• New York: Board of Regents authorizes charter schools through RFP process
• Georgia: State Board adopted Georgia Principles and Standards for Charter School Authorizing

State boards typically set performance expectations, monitor charter school performance, and have authority to close schools that fail to meet standards.

State boards are accountable through several mechanisms:

• Elections: In states with elected boards, members are directly accountable to voters
• Governor oversight: In states with appointed boards, governors can choose not to reappoint members
• Legislative oversight: State legislatures can modify board authority through statute (except for constitutional boards)
• Public meetings: Open meeting laws require transparency and public access
• Legal challenges: Board decisions can be challenged in court
• ESSA requirements: Federal law requires accountability systems and student outcome reporting
• Public pressure: Media coverage and advocacy groups monitor board performance