/state-superintendents State Superintendents en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:14:07 GMT /policy-politics/what-state-education-chiefs-think-as-trump-moves-programs-out-of-the-ed-dept/2025/11 The department's announcement this week represents a consequential structural change for states. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:14:07 GMT /policy-politics/what-state-education-chiefs-think-as-trump-moves-programs-out-of-the-ed-dept/2025/11 /leadership/a-state-chiefs-order-to-schools-provide-free-meals-for-all-with-no-new-funding/2025/07 Oklahoma's state superintendent told districts to fully cover student meal costs. Districts say the mandate is costly and unenforceable. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:55:47 GMT /leadership/a-state-chiefs-order-to-schools-provide-free-meals-for-all-with-no-new-funding/2025/07 /policy-politics/oklahoma-will-cut-funding-to-districts-that-dont-sign-trumps-anti-dei-pledge/2025/04 The state says it will withhold federal funds from districts that don't sign a Trump administration DEI pledge. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:02:15 GMT /policy-politics/oklahoma-will-cut-funding-to-districts-that-dont-sign-trumps-anti-dei-pledge/2025/04 /policy-politics/proof-of-legal-status-to-enroll-in-an-oklahoma-school-its-complicated/2025/02 Public schools don’t track the number of undocumented students enrolled due to a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 19:20:25 GMT /policy-politics/proof-of-legal-status-to-enroll-in-an-oklahoma-school-its-complicated/2025/02 /policy-politics/trump-picks-long-serving-state-chief-with-bipartisan-fans-for-top-ed-dept-role/2025/02 Trump nominated North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler to a key post overseeing K-12 policy at the U.S. Department of Education. Fri, 14 Feb 2025 20:57:25 GMT /policy-politics/trump-picks-long-serving-state-chief-with-bipartisan-fans-for-top-ed-dept-role/2025/02 /policy-politics/democrat-defeats-a-state-schools-chief-candidate-who-called-for-public-executions/2024/11 A candidate's past calls for Democrats' executions thrust one of this year's four state superintendent races into the national spotlight. Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:37:53 GMT /policy-politics/democrat-defeats-a-state-schools-chief-candidate-who-called-for-public-executions/2024/11 /policy-politics/oklahoma-state-chief-ryan-walters-trumps-won-the-argument-on-education/2024/10 The state schools chief's name comes up as Republicans discuss who could become education secretary in a second Trump administration. Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:17:00 GMT /policy-politics/oklahoma-state-chief-ryan-walters-trumps-won-the-argument-on-education/2024/10 /policy-politics/oklahoma-gop-lawmakers-demand-investigation-of-education-chief/2024/08 They have concerns about Ryan Walters' stewardship of federal and state funds and his transparency on meetings and open-records requests. Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:21:47 GMT /policy-politics/oklahoma-gop-lawmakers-demand-investigation-of-education-chief/2024/08 /policy-politics/the-surprising-contenders-for-state-superintendent-offices-this-year/2024/06 Two elections for the top education leadership job feature candidates who have never worked in public schools. Mon, 17 Jun 2024 21:31:08 GMT /policy-politics/the-surprising-contenders-for-state-superintendent-offices-this-year/2024/06 /policy-politics/politics-does-not-belong-in-education-says-a-departing-state-schools-chief/2024/06 Improving student outcomes requires finding common ground, says Missouri's long-serving education commissioner, Margie Vandeven. Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:34:26 GMT /policy-politics/politics-does-not-belong-in-education-says-a-departing-state-schools-chief/2024/06 /teaching-learning/the-key-parts-of-a-science-of-reading-transformation-according-to-one-state-chief/2024/05 Under Carey Wright's leadership, Mississippi pulled off a reading "miracle." She has a similar transformation in mind for Maryland. Mon, 06 May 2024 19:28:35 GMT /teaching-learning/the-key-parts-of-a-science-of-reading-transformation-according-to-one-state-chief/2024/05 /technology/the-backlash-on-ai-is-coming-3-early-lessons-for-k-12-education/2024/03 State education chiefs must figure out how to make the most of AI’s potential while steering around its problems. Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:16:56 GMT /technology/the-backlash-on-ai-is-coming-3-early-lessons-for-k-12-education/2024/03 /leadership/opinion-how-one-state-is-talking-about-school-improvement/2023/12 The country's longest-serving state schools chief addresses what's changed in the field of education during her tenure. Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /leadership/opinion-how-one-state-is-talking-about-school-improvement/2023/12 /leadership/tulsa-maintains-accreditation-averting-state-control-for-now/2023/08 But the district's school board president issued an unusual rebuke to Oklahoma's top education official. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 20:33:59 GMT /leadership/tulsa-maintains-accreditation-averting-state-control-for-now/2023/08 /leadership/oklahoma-wants-more-control-over-its-largest-district-students-are-already-protesting/2023/08 Gist cited her desire to avert state control—even as the looming vote has spurred teachers and students to activism. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 20:42:45 GMT /leadership/oklahoma-wants-more-control-over-its-largest-district-students-are-already-protesting/2023/08 /policy-politics/ky-education-commissioner-says-dangerous-anti-lgbtq-law-led-to-his-resignation/2023/08 Kentucky’s top education leader said he didn’t want to enforce the new Senate Bill 150 that critics have called an anti-LGBTQ measure. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:28:45 GMT /policy-politics/ky-education-commissioner-says-dangerous-anti-lgbtq-law-led-to-his-resignation/2023/08 /policy-politics/opinion-advice-for-state-school-chiefs-focus-on-all-kids-at-all-times/2023/07 Through the pandemic and culture clashes, a state superintendent tried to keep her eye on her main mission—student success. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:00:00 GMT /policy-politics/opinion-advice-for-state-school-chiefs-focus-on-all-kids-at-all-times/2023/07 /leadership/a-state-said-districts-had-to-report-spending-on-dei-some-defied-the-mandate/2023/07 Some of Oklahoma's largest school districts resisted a directive to detail their spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:34:06 GMT /leadership/a-state-said-districts-had-to-report-spending-on-dei-some-defied-the-mandate/2023/07 /policy-politics/conservatives-renew-call-to-end-u-s-education-department-at-moms-for-liberty-summit/2023/07 A panel of state schools chiefs criticized the federal agency at the summit in Philadelphia for policies that "indoctrinate" students. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 22:17:43 GMT /policy-politics/conservatives-renew-call-to-end-u-s-education-department-at-moms-for-liberty-summit/2023/07 /leadership/state-chief-targets-dei-initiatives-heres-how-district-leaders-are-responding/2023/05 Some Oklahoma superintendents are concerned about the state's reporting requirement on DEI spending. Tue, 23 May 2023 20:02:53 GMT /leadership/state-chief-targets-dei-initiatives-heres-how-district-leaders-are-responding/2023/05 /policy-politics/k-12-and-the-midterms-what-to-watch-for/2022/11 Educators sound off on what the hard-fought midterm elections could mean for K-12 policy. Tue, 08 Nov 2022 23:17:54 GMT /policy-politics/k-12-and-the-midterms-what-to-watch-for/2022/11 /policy-politics/k-12-insider-or-conservative-advocate-stark-choice-in-one-state-superintendents-race/2022/10 A think tank CEO and a high school English teacher battle it out for South Carolina's top K-12 job. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 20:49:12 GMT /policy-politics/k-12-insider-or-conservative-advocate-stark-choice-in-one-state-superintendents-race/2022/10 /policy-politics/divisions-on-race-gender-intensify-a-fight-for-state-superintendent/2022/09 The Arizona election for state superintendent illustrates the polarization engulfing K-12 policy nationwide. Fri, 30 Sep 2022 21:32:18 GMT /policy-politics/divisions-on-race-gender-intensify-a-fight-for-state-superintendent/2022/09 /leadership/florida-commissioner-says-we-made-sure-teacher-who-hung-black-lives-matter-flag-was-fired/2021/05 But the Duval County teacher has not been fired. She's been reassigned to non-teaching duties while the district investigates. Tue, 18 May 2021 15:13:32 GMT /leadership/florida-commissioner-says-we-made-sure-teacher-who-hung-black-lives-matter-flag-was-fired/2021/05 /policy-politics/how-to-talk-about-next-school-year-presents-a-big-test-for-education-leaders/2021/04 State K-12 officials must clearly communicate plans for safety, academics, and mental health, while mixing urgency with nuance. Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:55:17 GMT /policy-politics/how-to-talk-about-next-school-year-presents-a-big-test-for-education-leaders/2021/04 /policy-politics/state-schools-chiefs-push-biden-for-wiggle-room-on-accountability-during-pandemic/2020/12 State schools chiefs say it's necessary to change how they use scores from mandated annual tests during the unprecedented disruption created by the coronavirus pandemic. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:34:23 GMT /policy-politics/state-schools-chiefs-push-biden-for-wiggle-room-on-accountability-during-pandemic/2020/12 /policy-politics/teachers-union-leader-nominated-to-be-puerto-ricos-education-secretary/2020/12 The American Federation of Teachers describes Elba Aponte Santos as "a fierce defender of public education" in Puerto Rico. Wed, 02 Dec 2020 20:31:36 GMT /policy-politics/teachers-union-leader-nominated-to-be-puerto-ricos-education-secretary/2020/12 /teaching-learning/inside-a-procurement-dispute-in-north-carolina/2019/08 North Carolina officials' switch in reading-test vendors just weeks before the new school year got underway is spotlighting the often murky process of contracts and procurements for K-12 services. Wed, 21 Aug 2019 01:26:47 GMT /teaching-learning/inside-a-procurement-dispute-in-north-carolina/2019/08 /leadership/former-puerto-rico-ed-secretary-arrested-charged-with-fraud/2019/07 Julia Keleher, the former education secretary of Puerto Rico, has been arrested by federal agents in Washington on charges related to fraud and corruption, a U.S. attorney confirmed. Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:00:11 GMT /leadership/former-puerto-rico-ed-secretary-arrested-charged-with-fraud/2019/07 /leadership/puerto-ricos-education-secretary-steps-down-after-divisive-tenure/2019/04 Julia Keleher is leaving her position as Puerto Rico's top K-12 official, but will serve as an adviser at the island's education department to help with the leadership transition and ongoing policy changes. Wed, 10 Apr 2019 00:53:13 GMT /leadership/puerto-ricos-education-secretary-steps-down-after-divisive-tenure/2019/04