The Role of State Governments  

Education policy and administration in the United States begins at the state level and continues at the local and institutional levels. Regardless of size, each state and territory is internally self-governing and has authority with respect to educational matters within its jurisdiction.

In most states, education policy is developed by the state board of education and the state legislature, while the state department of education, headed by the superintendent (or commissioner), is responsible for implementing policy and overseeing the state's school districts.

State boards of education are bodies of prominent citizens that, depending on the state, are either appointed by the legislature or governor, or elected by the public. Their job is to conduct oversight of statewide educational policies and operations, determine budget priorities, approve new policies and guidelines (including curriculum guidelines), approve certain professional appointments, and consider requests from local education agencies. In some cases the state board is responsible for all levels of education, but in most states the board concentrates on education at the primary and secondary levels.

State superintendents are the highest education officials in state government, and are usually appointed by the state board of education or the governor. (A few states elect the superintendent.) The generic name for such positions is the "chief state school officer." These individuals manage the day-to-day affairs of state departments of education and report periodically to the state board, the legislature, and the governor. In general, state governments are responsible for the following:

• Chartering or licensing institutions to operate within their jurisdictions;
• Establishing curriculum guidelines;
• Setting the minimum number of school days;
• Establishing school health and safety laws;
• Licensing or certifying school teachers and administrators;
• Developing policies and regulations governing public primary and secondary education;
• Designating and appointing agencies and boards to oversee public education at all levels;
• Providing funding and technical assistance to local government agencies and schools. Education tends to be the largest expenditure item in the budget of every state and territory. On average, state education expenditures account for about 48% of total education spending in the United States.

States do not generally regulate postsecondary education as closely as they do elementary and secondary education. The essential autonomy of institutions and academic affairs is recognized in law and policy. However, through special boards or commissions, states do exercise oversight and governance of public higher education, set broad policies, and monitor institutional accountability for spending public funds and managing state-owned resources.