Complete directory of all 50 state education departments, contact information, and leadership
State Education Agencies
Elected Superintendents
Appointed Positions
US Dept of Ed Employees
The U.S. Department of Education was established on May 4, 1980, through the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88). The department serves as the federal agency responsible for education policy, federal assistance programs, and ensuring equal access to education.
Promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to education for all Americans.
Website: www.ed.gov
Main Office: 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202
Phone: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327)
TTY: 1-800-437-0833
Primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing education data in the United States and internationally.
Administers IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) programs and provides leadership to improve outcomes for children with disabilities.
Provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of low-income students. Funded at $17.5 billion (FY2022).
Manages federal student financial aid programs including grants, loans, and work-study assistance.
Every state has a department or agency that oversees administration of public education. These State Education Agencies (SEAs) serve as the primary organizational unit coordinating public education policy within each state.
Policy-making body that sets academic standards, curriculum guidelines, instructional materials, assessments, and accountability measures. The board governs the Department of Education.
Administrative agency that implements and executes policies set by the State Board. Provides oversight, supervision, and support for the state education system.
State Superintendent, Commissioner, or Secretary who leads the department and executes the board's policies and regulations.
States use different titles for their chief education officer. The position exists in all 50 states but varies in title and selection method:
12 States with Elected Superintendents (Partisan): Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin
Note: California, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin hold nonpartisan elections.
Largest ESEA grant program, funded at $17.5 billion (FY2022). Provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of low-income students through four formulas: Basic Grants, Concentration Grants, Targeted Grants, and Education Finance Incentive Grants.
Funded at $14.6 billion (FY2024). Assists states in providing free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities, ages 3-21. Most funds pass through to local education agencies.
While state education departments vary in structure, most include these common divisions:
All 50 state education departments with official websites and contact information.
Agency: Alabama State Department of Education
Website: alabamaachieves.org
Leadership: State Superintendent of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Agency: Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Website: education.alaska.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 801 West 10th Street, Juneau, AK 99801
Agency: Arizona Department of Education
Website: azed.gov
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 1535 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Agency: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Website: dese.ade.arkansas.gov
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: Four Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201
Agency: California Department of Education
Website: cde.ca.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected, Nonpartisan)
Address: 1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Agency: Colorado Department of Education
Website: cde.state.co.us
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 201 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Agency: Connecticut State Department of Education
Website: portal.ct.gov/sde
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103
Agency: Delaware Department of Education
Website: education.delaware.gov
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 401 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901
Agency: Florida Department of Education
Website: fldoe.org
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Agency: Georgia Department of Education
Website: gadoe.org
Leadership: State Superintendent of Schools (Elected)
Address: 2066 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30334
Agency: Hawaii State Department of Education
Website: hawaiipublicschools.org
Leadership: Superintendent of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 1390 Miller Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Agency: Idaho State Department of Education
Website: sde.idaho.gov
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 650 West State Street, Boise, ID 83720
Agency: Illinois State Board of Education
Website: isbe.net
Leadership: State Superintendent of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777
Agency: Indiana Department of Education
Website: in.gov/doe
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Phone: 317-232-9010
Address: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Agency: Iowa Department of Education
Website: educate.iowa.gov
Leadership: Director of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 400 East 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Agency: Kansas State Department of Education
Website: ksde.org
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 900 SW Jackson Street, Topeka, KS 66612
Agency: Kentucky Department of Education
Website: education.ky.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601
Agency: Louisiana Department of Education
Website: louisianabelieves.com
Leadership: State Superintendent of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 1201 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Agency: Maine Department of Education
Website: maine.gov/doe
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Agency: Maryland State Department of Education
Website: marylandpublicschools.org
Leadership: State Superintendent of Schools (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Agency: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Website: doe.mass.edu
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Agency: Michigan Department of Education
Website: michigan.gov/mde
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 608 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Agency: Minnesota Department of Education
Website: education.mn.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113
Agency: Mississippi Department of Education
Website: mdek12.org
Leadership: State Superintendent of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 359 North West Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Agency: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Website: dese.mo.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Agency: Montana Office of Public Instruction
Website: opi.mt.gov
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 1227 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620
Agency: Nebraska Department of Education
Website: education.ne.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509
Agency: Nevada Department of Education
Website: doe.nv.gov
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 700 East Fifth Street, Carson City, NV 89701
Agency: New Hampshire Department of Education
Website: education.nh.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
Agency: New Jersey Department of Education
Website: nj.gov/education
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 100 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08625
Agency: New Mexico Public Education Department
Website: webnew.ped.state.nm.us
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 300 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Agency: New York State Education Department
Website: nysed.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Email: [email protected]
Address: 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234
Agency: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Website: dpi.nc.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 6301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699
Agency: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Website: nd.gov/dpi
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected, Nonpartisan)
Address: 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505
Agency: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Website: education.ohio.gov
Leadership: Director of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 25 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Agency: Oklahoma State Department of Education
Website: sde.ok.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Agency: Oregon Department of Education
Website: oregon.gov/ode
Leadership: Director of Education (Governor serves as Superintendent)
Address: 255 Capitol Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Website: education.pa.gov
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126
Agency: Rhode Island Department of Education
Website: ride.ri.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 255 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903
Agency: South Carolina Department of Education
Website: ed.sc.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Education (Elected)
Current: Ellen Weaver (Elected November 2022)
Address: 1006 Rutledge Building, Columbia, SC 29201
Agency: South Dakota Department of Education
Website: doe.sd.gov
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
Agency: Tennessee Department of Education
Website: tn.gov/education
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Address: 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
Agency: Texas Education Agency
Website: tea.texas.gov
Leadership: Commissioner of Education (Appointed by Governor)
Phone: 512-463-9734
Address: 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Agency: Utah State Board of Education
Website: schools.utah.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Agency: Vermont Agency of Education
Website: education.vermont.gov
Leadership: Secretary of Education (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 219 North Main Street, Barre, VT 05641
Agency: Virginia Department of Education
Website: doe.virginia.gov
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 101 North 14th Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Agency: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Website: k12.wa.us
Leadership: Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected, Nonpartisan)
Current: Chris Reykdal (CCSSO Board President 2025-26)
Address: 600 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504
Agency: West Virginia Department of Education
Website: wvde.us
Leadership: State Superintendent of Schools (Appointed by State Board)
Address: 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305
Agency: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Website: dpi.wi.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected, Nonpartisan)
Address: 125 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53703
Agency: Wyoming Department of Education
Website: edu.wyoming.gov
Leadership: State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Elected)
Address: 2300 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002
Most states have dedicated certification offices with online portals, email contact, and phone support.
Visit your state's Department of Education website and look for "Certification," "Licensing," or "Educator Services" section.
State departments provide resources for parents including:
Many states offer parent hotlines and dedicated parent portals on their websites.
State departments provide consultation and support for:
Most state departments offer multiple contact options:
For comprehensive contact information, visit the U.S. Department of Education State Contacts page.
The U.S. Department of Education is the federal agency responsible for education policy, federal financial aid programs, and ensuring equal access nationwide. It has a $68 billion budget and 4,400 employees.
State departments of education are responsible for K-12 education within their respective states. Education is primarily a state and local responsibility in the United States. State departments regulate local schools, distribute funds, enforce teacher licensing, set academic standards, and provide oversight for their state's education system.
The federal department supplements and complements state efforts, provides funding through programs like Title I and IDEA, collects national education data, and ensures compliance with federal education laws.
State Board of Education: The governing and policy-making body that sets educational standards, curriculum guidelines, instructional materials requirements, assessments, and accountability measures. The board has the authority to establish K-12 policy for the state.
Department of Education: The administrative agency that implements and executes the policies set by the State Board. The department provides oversight, supervision, and support for the state education system, manages day-to-day operations, and administers programs.
The State Board typically appoints the State Superintendent (or Commissioner) who leads the Department in carrying out the board's policies and regulations. The board governs; the department administers.
The selection method varies by state:
States use different titles including Superintendent, Commissioner, Secretary, or Director of Education, but the role and responsibilities are similar across states.
State education departments have four major roles:
1. Regulatory Functions: Ensuring local schools comply with state and federal laws, verifying proper use of public funds, enforcing health and safety rules for school buildings, determining teacher qualifications and licensing, enforcing compulsory education laws, and monitoring educational standards.
2. Administrative Services: School accreditation, teacher certification, school transportation coordination, school nutrition programs, special education services, early childhood education, and career/technical education.
3. Financial Management: Distributing federal and state education funds, managing Title I funding ($17.5 billion nationally), administering IDEA Part B special education grants ($14.6 billion nationally), and monitoring fiscal compliance.
4. Policy & Leadership: Developing educational legislation, conducting long-range planning, providing consultation services to educators, studying ways to improve education, informing the public, resolving disputes between districts, and serving as liaison between state and federal government.
Teacher certification is managed by each state's department of education. The process typically includes:
Contact your state's department of education certification office:
Requirements vary by state, so check with your specific state department for detailed information on certification pathways, required tests, and renewal procedures.
Title I, Part A is the largest federal grant program for education, funded at $17.5 billion (FY2022). It provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of low-income students to help ensure all children meet challenging state academic standards.
How it works:
Contact your state department of education's federal programs office for information about Title I funding in your state, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal statute that authorizes grant programs supporting special education and early intervention services for children with disabilities. In FY2024, $15.4 billion was appropriated for IDEA, with $14.6 billion for Part B programs.
IDEA Part B - Special Education Grants to States:
Services covered include: Special education instruction, related services (speech therapy, occupational therapy), assistive technology, transition services, and support for inclusive education practices.
Contact your state department's special education division for information about IDEA services, eligibility determination, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and parent rights under IDEA.
State education departments implement accountability systems to measure school and district performance. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), each state designs its own accountability system approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Common accountability measures include:
Rating systems vary by state:
Schools identified as low-performing receive additional support and resources from the state. Visit your state department's website to view school performance reports, accountability ratings, and improvement plans.
While organizational structures vary by state, most education departments include these common divisions:
Academic Services: Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Accountability, Standards Development, Instructional Materials Review, Data and Research
Student Services: Special Education, English Language Learners, Gifted and Talented Programs, School Health Services, Student Support Services
Educator Services: Teacher Certification and Licensing, Professional Development, Teacher Quality Programs, Principal Leadership
Operations and Finance: School Finance, Federal Programs Administration, Grants Management, School Facilities, School Transportation
School Support: School Improvement, Charter Schools, School Choice Programs, School Turnaround Services, Innovation and Reform
Specialized Programs: Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, Early Childhood Education, School Nutrition, Safe and Healthy Schools
Education data is available from multiple sources:
State Department Websites: Each state education department publishes annual report cards, school performance data, enrollment statistics, assessment results, graduation rates, and financial reports. Look for "Data," "Reports," or "Accountability" sections on department websites.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): The primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing education data (nces.ed.gov). NCES provides:
State Data Portals: Many states maintain dedicated data portals with searchable databases allowing parents and researchers to access school-level information including demographics, test scores, teacher qualifications, and financial data.
For specific data requests or questions about data interpretation, contact your state department's Data and Research division or visit the NCES website for national comparisons.
Last updated on November 24, 2025