Superintendent Luna Named President-Elect of Chief State School Officers

Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna has been named President-Elect of the Council of Chief State School Officers, a national group that represents state superintendents and education commissioners across the country.

Superintendent Luna will serve as President-Elect of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) through November 2011 and then take over as President of the organization.

“It is an honor to be chosen by my peers to serve at the national level,” Superintendent Luna said. “I am looking forward to playing an instrumental role in shaping the future of public education across Idaho and our nation in the coming years as we work on reauthorizing No Child Left Behind and other critical issues.”

As Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna has helped raise student achievement across Idaho.  In 2007, just 26 percent of Idaho schools met the state’s high academic goals, known as Adequate Yearly Progress. Now, 62 percent of schools are meeting this goal.

“Tom has a record of success working on behalf of the children in Idaho, and he is a trusted voice among chief state school officers.  I am pleased Tom will continue to serve on the board of directors,” said CCSSO Executive Director Gene Wilhoit. “States are committed to continuing to lead the education reform discussion in this country and the members of the CCSSO Board of Directors are prepared help guide that effort.”

Superintendent Luna has served on the Board of Directors for CCSSO since 2009.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a 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, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks members’ consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.

~ Melissa M.