Education, Commissioner of

From Encyclopediak

Education, Commissioner of, in some states, as Ohio, the title of the chief educational officer. When used in this sense the title is synonymous with that of superintendent of public instruction. The United States commissioner of education is the chief officer of the National Bureau of Education. He is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. He collects and publishes information upon systems and methods of education in the United States and in foreign countries, and makes an annual report to Congress, setting forth the work of the bureau. These reports contain much valuable information and are in demand by educators throughout the country. The duties of the commissioner of education are largely advisory, but from his ability to gather information from all parts of the country his suggestions usually have a far-reaching import. The office was establislied in 1867, and Henry Barnard was the first commissioner. See BARNARD, HENRY HARRIS, WILLIAM TORREY BROWN, ELMER ELLSWORTH CLAXTON, PHILANDIR PRIESTLEY.