Education policy is shaped by each state’s constitution and laws, how leadership roles are structured and filled, and the authority different state policymakers hold. These systems can be complex and look different from state to state. Despite these differences and complexities, recognizing shared K-12 governance approaches can help shed light on how education decisions are made and how policy takes shape.
This resource provides a national overview of constitutional language across states and explores how constitutional and statutory language provides for appointments as well as powers and duties of key policymaking roles in K-12 education policy.
Click on the questions below to access 50-State Comparisons for each of the data points.
Click here to view individual state profiles detailing all data elements for a single state.
50-State Comparisons
State Constitutional Language
- Education Provision
- Funding Provision
- Religious Restriction Provision
- Students with Disabilities Provision
Selections
- Which governance model does the state follow?
- How is the state board of education selected?
- What is the composition of the state board of education?
- Are there term limits and/or lengths for state board members?
- How is the chief state school officer selected?
- Are there term limits and/or lengths for the chief state school officer?
Powers and Duties
- Governor
- Legislature
- Chief State School Officer
- Executive-Level Secretary
- State Board of Education
- Local School Boards
