State Superintendents

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
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
4 min read
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
10 min read
Education Rhode Island Governor Picks New York Latina, ELL Expert to Serve as Next Commissioner
Angélica Infante-Green will take over as lawmakers debate how to improve schools after test scores show Rhode Island students doing significantly worse than students in neighboring Massachusetts.
Daarel Burnette II, March 19, 2019
1 min read
Education Minnesota Governor-Elect Names AFT National VP to Be State Education Chief
The state's incoming governor and education commissioner both are former teachers. They face battles over school accountability, funding and the achievement gap between white and minority students.
Daarel Burnette II, December 20, 2018
1 min read
Education After Protracted Political Spat, Missouri Rehires Fired State Schools Chief
Former Republican Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens appointed enough board members to have Commissioner Margie Vandeven fired last year, but now that he's gone, the state board decided to hire her back.
Daarel Burnette II, November 27, 2018
1 min read
Education Thurmond Declares Victory in California's Expensive, Contested Superintendent Race
The midterm election contest between state Assembly member Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck to run the state's department of education became the most expensive in state history with candidates spending a combined $53 million.
Daarel Burnette II, November 19, 2018
1 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
5 min read
States 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
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
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
7 min read
Education Controversial Arizona Chief Who Sparred With State Board Loses Primary
Republican Diane Douglas originally ran on a platform of getting rid of the state's common core standards, but ended up in a legally fraught relationship with the state's board of education.
Daarel Burnette II, September 6, 2018
1 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
6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Francis Sheehan/Education Week
Every Student Succeeds Act State, Local Officials Tussle Over Who's in Charge Under ESSA
At issue is just which branch of state government—or even which office—calls the shots on putting the Every Student Succeeds Act into practice. And election-year tensions up the ante.
Daarel Burnette II, April 3, 2018
6 min read