Governors Eye Greater Control Over Education

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, right, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn enter a biology classroom in Tukwila, Wash., to speak about state education reform efforts. Gregoire would like to have the elected chief’s position report to a cabinet officer she would appoint.

—Ted S. Warren/AP

Stage Set for Fresh Tussling on Control of K-12 Direction

By Sean Cavanagh

When Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire announced recently that she wants to take control of education policy in her state by creating a new, Cabinet-level schools position that answers to her, she set the stage for a political fight—and revived a perennial debate.

Governors, elected state schools chiefs, and, to some extent, state boards of education, have wrestled for years over who should shape the direction of teaching and learning in their states. In particular, governors have argued that they need more authority in order to marshal the various state education offices and boards in support of more unified and coherent plans to improve schools.

Whether last November’s election, which produced major turnover in governors’ and state legislative offices, foreshadows a significant number of education leadership shake-ups nationwide remains unclear. But some newly elected and returning governors have signaled...