They are committed to ensuring that all students participating in their public education system -- regardless of background -- graduate prepared for college, careers, and life.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education and the five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.

As an organization, they are committed to ensuring that all students participating in their public education system -- regardless of background -- graduate prepared for college, careers, and life. To realize this, they bring together dedicated leaders and exceptional ideas to achieve measurable progress for every student.

Their work is guided by their 2017-2020 Strategic Plan and anchored in their commitment to provide an equitable education to every child. To realize this, they focus on six specific areas of work in service of chiefs, their agencies, and children across the nation:

• Students: Implementing high expectations for each student
• Critical student transitions: Creating multiple pathways for student success
• Teachers: Providing high-quality instruction and educational support
• School and district leaders: Continuously improving schools for each student
• State leaders: Leading effective state education agencies
• Their organization: Providing a strategic, supportive Council