State Superintendents

Outgoing Arizona schools chief Tom Horne asserts that a major school district in Tucson is violating a new state law by continuing an ethnic studies program designed primarily for Hispanics, pointing out a quotation from a textbook used in the class, at a news conference in Phoenix on Jan. 3, 2011. A federal judge in Tucson, in a finding made public Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, ruled that an ethnic studies ban in Arizona that shuttered a popular Mexican-American program was enacted with racial discrimination. The 2010 law dismantled the Tucson Unified School District program, launching months of protests by students and parents who said it enriched school performance.
Tom Horne, the Republican nominee for the Arizona schools superintendent position, says he would put an end to critical race theory and "indoctrination" if elected.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
States Divisions on Race, Gender Intensify a Fight for State Superintendent
The Arizona election for state superintendent illustrates the polarization engulfing K-12 policy nationwide.
Libby Stanford, September 30, 2022
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9 min read
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran speaks during a bill signing ceremony at St. John the Apostle School on May 11, 2021, in Hialeah, Fla.
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran speaks during a bill signing ceremony at St. John the Apostle School on May 11, 2021, in Hialeah, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
School & District Management Florida Commissioner Says ‘We Made Sure’ Teacher Who Hung Black Lives Matter Flag Was Fired
But the Duval County teacher has not been fired. She's been reassigned to non-teaching duties while the district investigates.
Emily Bloch, The Florida Times-Union, May 18, 2021
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2 min read
Woman applying "Welcome Back" sign to the school entrance
Leo Patrizi/E+/Getty Images
States How to Talk About Next School Year Presents a Big Test for Education Leaders
State K-12 officials must clearly communicate plans for safety, academics, and mental health, while mixing urgency with nuance.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 12, 2021
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12 min read
Image of students taking a test.
smolaw11/iStock/Getty
Accountability State Schools Chiefs Push Biden for Wiggle Room on Accountability During Pandemic
State schools chiefs say it's necessary to change how they use scores from mandated annual tests during the unprecedented disruption created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Evie Blad, December 17, 2020
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4 min read
Elba Aponte Santos
Elba Aponte Santos, the president of the Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (AMPR), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, has been nominated to be Puerto Rico's next education secretary.
via Twitter
States Teachers' Union Leader Nominated to Be Puerto Rico's Education Secretary
The American Federation of Teachers describes Elba Aponte Santos as "a fierce defender of public education" in Puerto Rico.
Andrew Ujifusa, December 2, 2020
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1 min read
Assessment Inside a Procurement Dispute in North Carolina
North Carolina officials' switch in reading-test vendors just weeks before the new school year got underway is spotlighting the often murky process of contracts and procurements for K-12 services.
Stephen Sawchuk, August 20, 2019
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4 min read
Former Education Secretary Julia Keleher works with her team in a makeshift office at the Convention Center of Puerto Rico in San Juan in October 2017 after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.
Former Education Secretary Julia Keleher works with her team in a makeshift office at the Convention Center of Puerto Rico in San Juan in October 2017 after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.
Swikar Patel/Education Week
School & District Management Former Puerto Rico Ed. Secretary Arrested, Charged With Fraud
Julia Keleher, the former education secretary of Puerto Rico, has been arrested by federal agents in Washington on charges related to fraud and corruption, a U.S. attorney confirmed.
Andrew Ujifusa & Evie Blad, July 16, 2019
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4 min read
Julia Keleher’s tenure as head of Puerto Rico’s islandwide school system included overseeing its recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, as well as controversies over school closures and school choice.
Julia Keleher’s tenure as head of Puerto Rico’s islandwide school system included overseeing its recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, as well as controversies over school closures and school choice.
Swikar Patel/Education Week
School & District Management Puerto Rico's Education Secretary Steps Down After Divisive Tenure
Julia Keleher is leaving her position as Puerto Rico's top K-12 official, but will serve as an adviser at the island's education department to help with the leadership transition and ongoing policy changes.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 9, 2019
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4 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
School & District Management Meet the Latest Class of State Schools Chiefs
The newest group of state superintendents, most of them appointed by newly elected governors, is ethnically diverse and full of those with experience in the classroom.
Daarel Burnette II, March 20, 2019
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10 min read
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers, left, and lieutenant governor candidate Mandela Barnes claim victory at their watch party, early Nov. 7, 2018, at the Orpheum Theater in Madison, Wis.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers, left, and lieutenant governor candidate Mandela Barnes claim victory at their watch party, early Nov. 7, 2018, at the Orpheum Theater in Madison, Wis.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP
Federal With a Schools Superintendent Running the State, What Lies Ahead for Wisconsin?
After years of shepherding the state’s K-12 system, Democrat Tony Evers will be called on to make good as governor on his pledge of more funding for K-12.
Lisa Stark, November 7, 2018
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5 min read
Federal Wisconsin Chief Tony Evers Upsets Incumbent Scott Walker in Governor's Race
The contest had been close from the start, with Evers campaigning on a promise to restore respect for the state's teachers and financially bail out its school system.
Lisa Stark, November 7, 2018
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2 min read
Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s state schools superintendent, says she won’t seek re-election in 2020.
Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s state schools superintendent, says she won’t seek re-election in 2020.
Michael Conroy/AP-File
Federal Lame-Duck Indiana Chief Frustrated Over K-12 Governance
Jennifer McCormick, a Republican who will not run for re-election in 2020, says the state's government structure "causes confusion and stretches resources."
Daarel Burnette II, October 23, 2018
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3 min read
Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, a candidate for California's Superintendent of Public Instruction, appears at a candidates debate in Sacramento.
Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, a candidate for California's Superintendent of Public Instruction, appears at a candidates debate in Sacramento.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Federal State Schools Chiefs: Who's Elected, Who's Not, and Races to Watch This Year
More than half of the 13 elected state superintendent spots are up for grabs this year, even as South Carolina voters weigh making the job an appointed one.
Daarel Burnette II, October 8, 2018
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7 min read
Marshall Tuck, left, and Tony Thurmond, candidates for California superintendent of public instruction, pose for photos with moderator Mark Baldassare after their debate in Sacramento last month.
Marshall Tuck, left, and Tony Thurmond, candidates for California superintendent of public instruction, pose for photos with moderator Mark Baldassare after their debate in Sacramento last month.
Ramin Rahimian for Education Week
Federal State Chief Race in Calif. Proving Costly, Contentious
Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck differed sharply on issues such as how to improve teacher quality and how to get more money for California's schools.
Daarel Burnette II, September 4, 2018
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6 min read
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