The Basics
You’re probably already familiar with the role of a local school board, but many states also elect a state-level education board. While local boards make decisions about the day-to-day operation of their own districts (things like opening and closing schools, budgets and salaries, and which books to stock in school libraries), the state-level education board is focused on the big picture of public education in your state, and has just as big of an impact on students, teachers, and families.
Here are some of the most important responsibilities your state’s education board might have:
- Advising or making decisions around your state’s school funding formula, which decides how the state’s education money is distributed to school districts
- Setting certification requirements for teachers and other school leaders – these rules decide what kind of education and experience teachers must have in your state
- Supervising and setting policies for non-traditional schools and educational programs, like those located in mental health facilities, jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities
- Supervising and setting policies for private and charter schools
- Monitoring school districts that are having financial problems, and sometimes taking over management of a school district if the problems are very serious
- Making big-picture decisions on curriculum – for example, some states have a list of approved reading programs that school districts can choose from
The exact responsibilities of the board will vary by state, and boards usually have a mix of elected members and members appointed by the governor.
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Source: the National Association of State Boards of Education
What have State Board of Education members done?
Board members’ decisions can change conditions in schools across your state. Here are just a few that have made a big impact:
- Conrad Appel and Sharon Clark
Louisiana
Pushed Louisiana’s board to strike down a rule requiring all high school seniors to fill out the FAFSA. While intended to help students get more financial aid, Appel said that lots of students end up taking on more debt than they can handle, and Clark noted that schools should be held accountable for educating students and families on the FAFSA and financial aid resources - State Board of Education
Alabama
The board unanimously approved a rule granting paid parental leave to all Alabama teachers
Case Study: regulating charter schools in LouisianaLink
In February of 2025, Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted unanimously to replace the entire board of Impact Charter School in Baker, Louisiana. The school, run by Education Explosion Inc., is overseen directly by the BESE – state law gives the board the authority to approve new charter schools for opening, monitor their performance, and step in to temporarily manage any schools who are violating state rules or not serving students adequately. Explaining their decision, the BESE said a state audit had found that the school’s board members had been allegedly misusing funds (including the school’s chief executive, who was allegedly using school funds for international travel and luxury cars). Based on recommendations from the Louisiana Department of Education, the BESE appointed eight new members to the school’s board. Impact’s parent company accused the state government of overreach and said they would pursue a lawsuit.
Unlike public school boards, where only the governor or a majority vote of the school board itself can expel a board member, Louisiana law gives the BESE power to remove and replace charter school board members, because charter schools are directly overseen by the state. This means that for charter school students, teachers, employees and families, the BESE has direct power not only over big-picture education policy decisions, but potentially over the daily operation and management of schools themselves.
Sources: WBRZ News; the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
How does it work in my state?
Scroll down and click on your state to learn more about the specifics of a state board of education member’s powers and responsibilities where you live. (If your state isn’t here yet, check back often – we’re adding more info all the time. If your state doesn’t have an elected education board, you won’t see it here.)
LouisianaLink
Term limits: a board member who has served more than 2 ½ terms (ten years) in a row is not eligible for reelection. Terms are four years
Eligibility: to run for the board, you must be at least 25 years old and a registered Louisiana voter; and must have been a U.S. citizen and Louisiana resident for at least five years
There are eight elected members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The state is divided into eight BESE districts, and each district elects one board member. Three other members are appointed by the governor, for a total of 11. A board member’s main responsibilities are:
- Overseeing state education funding
The board sets the public school system’s funding formula, which decides how funding is distributed to all of the state’s school districts - Setting standards for curriculum and teacher certification
- Approving and overseeing charter schools
The board has a lot of power over charter schools, including the power to review curriculums and replace school leaders - Setting basic standards for private schools
The board has less power over private schools, but is still responsible for making sure they meet basic standards for curriculum and safety - Managing standardized tests and school lunch programs
- Overseeing alternative schools
Including education programs within prisons, juvenile facilities, and mental health facilities - Overseeing Recovery School Districts
If a public school is really struggling, whether financially or with student performance, the board can take direct control over it by moving it to a Recovery district
Sources: the Louisiana Constitution; Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education