Understanding the Landscape of State Education Agencies

• In Event: The Architecture of Education Governance: Institutions, Leadership, and Influence

Abstract

Despite serving a fundamental role in education ecosystems, State Education Agencies (SEAs) are often underconsidered in education research. In this paper, I systematically review 23 empirical articles published in peer-reviewed journals and use Critical Policy Analysis to explore key functions that SEAs perform and the challenges they navigate. Through this review, I identified the following SEA roles and responsibilities: interpreting policies and identifying educational priorities, monitoring and reporting, and providing ongoing guidance and support to schools and districts across the state. Findings reveal how SEA leaders navigate complex policy environments and exercise agency with limited resources and capacity. These findings have implications for how SEAs can support schools and districts amid increasing sociopolitical turmoil and a changing educational landscape.

Author

• Sierra Stern, University of Pittsburgh