What is the Superintendent of Public Instruction?

The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is a constitutionally required nonpartisan officer that is elected to serve as California’s chief public school official. The SPI directs the Department of Education and oversees TK-12 public schools, manages state funding directed to local school districts, and enforces education regulations and law.

Key Functions:

• Chief Administrator: The SPI manages the day-to-day operations of the California Department of Education (CDE).

• Executive Officer: The SPI serves as Secretary and Executive Officer to the State Board of Education (SBE) and implements policies established by the SBE.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Distributes state funds and tracks the fiscal health of local school districts.

• Monitors compliance: Collects data from local school districts and monitors compliance with state and federal programs.

• Special Schools: Runs two schools for deaf students and a state school for blind students.

• Representation: Participates as an ex officio member of the California State Teachers Retirement System, University of California Board of Regents and California State University Trustees, and a voting member of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the California Collaborative for Education Excellence.