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NEAT > Roles & Responsibilities > Student-Centered Accountability > Outer	Print View

Governors and State Legislators

Governors and legislatures, the chief decision-makers in state government, have primary responsibility for public education at this level. States, through budgets set by governors and legislators, contribute the largest share of funding for schools – as much as 50% of school budgets. [More in Minnesota.] Most states also set requirements for teacher certification and licensing, create accountability systems such as standards and tests, set the rules for school bonds, develop standard courses of study, and determine the parameters of negotiations and benefits policies for school employees. Beyond these issues, there is wide variation in how much control states exert.

Governors and/or legislators usually appoint state boards of education and state superintendents, though these are elected positions in a few states. Superintendents and state boards or departments of education (in federal parlance, known as “State Education Agencies” or SEAs) typically create guidelines for how districts implement education legislation on topics such as those listed above. How active they are and how much influence they have over the actions of the governor and the legislature varies from state to state.

A good source of information specific to your state include local “education funds” – a network of progressive education advocates affiliated with the Public Education Network (PEN). There are ed funds in 34 states. You might also contact your state PTA and state teachers’ unions. Many states also have fiscal analysis institutes that are excellent sources of information about budgets and tax equity issues.

January 2005 - Education Action Guide, Power Analysis: Who Can, Who Should, Who Will, Center for Community Change (page 33).