Chiefs for Change

Chiefs for Change is a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders that share a zeal for education reform. Together, they provide a strong voice for bold reform on the federal, state and local level.

Mission

Chiefs for Change is committed to putting children first through bold, visionary education reform that will increase student achievement and prepare students for success in colleges and careers.  

Members

• Janet Barresi, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction & Chair of Chiefs for Change
• Stephen Bowen, Maine Commissioner of Education
• Chris Cerf, New Jersey Commissioner of Education
• Deborah A. Gist, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Kevin Huffman, Tennessee Commissioner of Education
• Paul Pastorek, Former Louisiana State Superintendent of Education & Member Emeritus
• Gerard Robinson, Florida Commissioner of Education
• Hanna Skandera, New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary-Designate & Vice Chair of Chiefs for Change
• Eric Smith,  Former Florida Commissioner of Education & Member Emeritus
• John White, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education

Guiding Principles

• Achievement-focused Teacher and School Leadership Effectiveness
• Rewarding Excellence and Replacing Failure with Success
• High Academic Standards
• Transparent and Rigorous Accountability
• Viable Options for all Students

News and Correspondence

• Chiefs for Change Endorses GREAT Act Supporting Rigorous, Goals-Oriented Teacher and Principal Training 2/16/12
• Chiefs for Change Congratulates the Ten States Receiving Waivers 2/9/12
• Louisiana Superintendent of Education Becomes Newest Member of Chiefs for Change  1/30/12
• Chiefs for Change Statement on Lack of Teacher and Principal Accountability in ESEA bill 10/24/11
• Chiefs for Change join Civil Rights Groups, Business Groups, State Education Officials, and Education Advocates on ESEA Proposal 10/19/11
• Chiefs for Change Comment on ESEA Legislation Introduced by the Senate Education Committee 10/14/11  
• Chiefs for Change Statement on NCLB Waivers Process 09/23/11
• Chiefs for Change Applaud Duncan for Waivers, Encourage High Bar to be Set 08/08/11
• Chiefs for Change letter to Secretary Duncan and education and workforce committees urging accountability in ESEA reauthorization 08/03/11
• Chiefs for Change letter applauding Secretary Duncan for Race to the Top Initiative 08/25/11
• Chiefs for Change Member to Share State Teacher Quality Initiatives with Congress 07/27/11 
• Chiefs for Change Commend Representatives Kline and Hunter for Introducing the Empowering Parents Through Quality Charter Schools Act 06/24/11
• Statement by Chiefs for Change on Requests for ESEA Waivers 06/07/11
• Statement by Chiefs for Change Supporting the National Council on Teacher Quality's Review of Colleges of Education 06/01/11
• Chiefs for Change releases guiding principles for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind)  05/19/11 

Read more about the Chiefs for Change Mission and Principles here.

For more information on Chiefs for Change please contact Jaryn Emhof at Jaryn@ExcelinEd.org.