Choosing Chiefs and Boards
States

Choosing Chiefs and Boards

May 12, 1999 1 min read
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States have a variety of methods for selecting their education leadership. In 23 states, the state school board chooses the superintendent of schools; most others are elected or picked by governors.

Legend: AB=Appointed by board. AG=Appointed by governor or other administrative authority. PB=Partisan ballot. NPB=Nonpartisan ballot.

State Method of Selection
Of State Board 		Method of Selection
Of Chief State School Officer
Alabama PB AB
Alaska AG AB; governor approves
Arizona AG; confirmed by Senate PB
Arkansas AG AB
California AG NPB
Colorado PB AB
Connecticut AG AB
Delaware AG; approved by Senate AG; confirmed by Senate
Florida PB Elected statewide
Georgia AG Elected statewide
Hawaii NPB AB
Idaho AG PB
Illinois AG AB
Indiana 10 AG; chief is elected PB
Iowa AG AG
Kansas PB AB
Kentucky AG AB
Louisiana 8 elected, 3 AG AB
Maine AG AG
Maryland AG AB
Massachusetts AG AB
Michigan PB AB
Minnesota AG AG
Mississippi 5 AG, 4 by legislature AB
Missouri AG with Senate consent AB
Montana AG PB
Nebraska NPB AB
Nevada NPB AB
New Hampshire AG AB
New Jersey AG AG
New Mexico 10 elected, 5 AG AB
New York Appointed by legislature AB
North Carolina AG PB
North Dakota AG NPB
Ohio 11 NPB, 8 AG AB
Oklahoma AG PB
Oregon AG NPB
Pennsylvania Appointed by legislature AG
Rhode Island AG AB
South Carolina Appointed by legislature PB
South Dakota AG AG
Tennessee AG; legislature confirms AG
Texas PB AG
Utah NPB AB
Vermont AG; approved by Senate AB; governor approves
Virginia AG AG
Washington 9 elected by school boards; 1 by private schools NPB
West Virginia AG AB
Wisconsin none NPB
Wyoming AG PB
Source: Council of Chief State School Officers
Related Tags:
State Superintendents State Policy Governors

A version of this article appeared in the May 12, 1999 edition of Education Week as Choosing Chiefs and Boards

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