If the chief State school officer is selected by popular vote, the office may become a political one, subject to the fluctuations of party Del. P Nev. and factional politics. The term is short, two to four years, reelection is uncertain, and the lack of continuity in the service is a handi Seven different titles for this officer are used in the 48 States. "Superintendent of Public Instruction" is now used by more States than any other, but the tendency is toward that of "Commissioner of Education." FIG. 2.-Kind of provision for the office of chief State school official in each of the States, 1923 cap to the officer, however capable. The term and salary are fixed by law and can not be adjusted to fit the person desired. The field from which to choose is limited to the State, and the qualifications are sometimes limited as to age and citizenship. Under the appointive method the chief State school officer may be selected as are presidents of universities, city superintendents, and other important school officials, from the country at large. TABLE 3.-Chief State school officer and approximate number of assistants 1 1926 Educational Directory. U. S. Bu. of Educ. Bul., 1924, No. 5, "The Chief State School Official," by Ward G. Reeder. Returns for the 1926 Educational Directory. Does not include deputy or assistant State superintendents, In Alabama, Kentucky, and New Mexico the chief State school officer may not serve more than four years in succession. Indefinite. TABLE 3.—Chief State school officer and approximate number of assistants-Contd. With the State organized for education on this basis, the position of chief school officer stands first in responsibility and in opportunity to render executive service. As executive official he administers the various divisions of the State department of education and also represents the State board as its professional representative with the higher educational institutions of the State. The State department of education should be comprehensively planned on lines of approved business principles. If the State is to get full returns on its educational investment, the methods, means, and ways outlined must be of the most approved known to experts in school administration. There should be ample provision made for as many subdivisions of the department as may be necessary to administer the office to the best interest of the public." There is general agreement by authorities on school administration, confirmed by practice in several progressive States, that this important officer should be assigned at least the following powers and duties: 1. The chief State school officer, the executive official of the State board of education and executive head of the State department of education, should enforce rules and regulations made in conformity to law by the State board for schools over which it has legal jurisdiction. 7 See Table 4. TABLE 4.-Specialists (one or more) in State departments of education1 departments, X not included in this table, of special interest are: Divisions of publications or publicity, visual education, community work, administration, child welfare, child labor and employment, finance. 1 Other fields of work in the various State X X X XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX X X Deputy State superintendent |