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 | ||
