Although the state role in education has expanded dramatically in recent decades, most states continue to use systems of educational governance developed early in the 20th century, according to a new report.
The report, prepared by the Indiana Education Policy Center at Indiana University, examines the powers and selection procedures of the chief state school officer and state board of education in each state.
The report found four basic models for choosing the state chief and board, although a number of states did not fall into any common pattern.
While much of the study is devoted to detailed charts of each state’s governance structure, it also includes analyses of governance changes over time and of ongoing issues in the field, such as the tensions between centralization and decentralization and between political and professional control.
“State Education Governance Structures’’ was published by the Education Commission of the States. Copies of the report (EG-93-1) are available for $12.50 each, plus postage and handling, from the E.C.S. Distribution Center, 707 17th St., Suite 2700, Denver, Colo. 80202-3427; (303) 299-3692.
