Governors Face Political Hurdles in Seeking Power to Appoint Chiefs

Convinced of the connection between the quality of their schools and the future of their states—not to mention their own political reputations—some governors are seeking a bigger role in shaping education policy by grabbing for more control over their state schools chiefs.

In Maryland, first-term Gov. Martin O’Malley is demanding that the longtime appointed chief step down so he can work with his own superintendent. In Massachusetts, another first-termer, Gov. Deval Patrick, wants to create a powerful education secretary’s job in his Cabinet. And in Indiana and South Carolina, where the chiefs are elected, debates swirl over whether the governor should instead pick the superintendent.

Both sides offer compelling arguments. Governors note that they are responsible for managing state budgets, of which half typically is devoted to public schools, and say that they take the political heat on education. Governors also argue that school quality is an economic-development issue, and that their influence in that vital area is limited if they can’t...