The goal of CCSSO’s education leadership initiative is to ensure our members are informed of, understand the value of, and have the capacity to implement leadership initiatives within their state education agencies to ensure high-quality education leaders are at all levels and the right conditions are in place to ultimately impact student learning and achievement. Therefore, we work not only with the following 24 Wallace-funded states but ensure that all of our members are provided with useful information to make the important decisions necessary in the area of education leadership.

The chief state school officer, often through statutory authority for state licensure and certification rules and regulations, provides a major lever for quality control in the establishment of standards, university program approval, ongoing professional development, selection, and evaluation criteria for school leaders. Chiefs reach out and work collaboratively with other state level policymakers (governors, legislators, state board members) to create a comprehensive and aligned system that helps recruit, support, and retain effective leaders.

Individual district sites include: Harford Public Schools (CT), Atlanta Public Schools (GA), Chicago Public Schools (IL), Springfield Public Schools (IL), Fort Wayne Community Schools (IN), Jefferson County Public Schools (KY), Boston Public Schools (MA), Springfield Public Schools (MA), St. Louis Public Schools (MO), Trenton Public Schools (NJ), New York City Region 1 (NY), Eugene School District 4J (OR), Providence School Department (RI), and Fairfax County Public Schools (VA).