Board Of Regents Elects John King Commissioner Of Education

The New York State Board of Regents voted today to elect Dr. John B. King, Jr. as New York State Education Commissioner and President of the University of the State of New York.   The Regents took this action at their May meeting held today in Albany.

Dr. King currently serves as Senior Deputy Commissioner for P-12 Education at the New York State Education Department where, for the past two years, he has led the effort to implement the Regents reform agenda and coordinated New York’s successful Race to the Top application.   Prior to joining the State Education Department in 2009, John was a nationally recognized education leader who founded and led urban public schools that have won acclaim for their success in closing the achievement gap and preparing students to succeed in college.

"For the past two years John King has been at the forefront driving the implementation of every aspect of New York’s reform agenda across this state.  In that role he has won deep respect from teachers, school leaders, superintendents and policy makers for his results-oriented leadership and a style that has consistently brought together diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve consensus around critical reforms for our public schools.  John has dedicated his career to closing the achievement gap and raising the level of achievement for all. He has a deep, passionate, personal commitment to public education and will be an outstanding Commissioner for all New Yorkers," said Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch. 

"In selecting John King the Regents are sustaining the pace and focus of the reforms intended for all our schools," said Vice Chancellor Milton Cofield, co-chair of the Board’s Search Committee.  "John has demonstrated the remarkable energy and insight that the Board wants in place to implement the Regents reform agenda," added Regent Anthony Bottar, who co-chaired the Search Committee. 

"John was my partner in every reform we have pursued over the past two years – from realigning proficiency standards on our 3rd – 8th grade assessments, to advancing new models for teacher preparation, evaluation and development, to rethinking how we turn around failing schools.  He coordinated our Race to the Top application and has worked closely with me in the effort to make New York’s standards and assessments more rigorous and more aligned to college and career readiness.  He will be an excellent Commissioner who will make a tremendous difference in the lives of New York’s 3.1 million school children," said Commissioner David M. Steiner.

"My life story is about the power of schools to shape lives, even against great odds.  Through my experiences as a teacher, as a school leader, and as Senior Deputy Commissioner, working with superintendents, principals, and teachers across this state, I know that all of our schools can be places that ensure our children succeed," said King, the son of New York City public school educators and a product of New York City public schools.

"There has never been a more exciting time to be in public education in New York.  While I know the fiscal environment and the pace of change are challenging, over the past two years I have been struck by the commitment of school board members, superintendents, school leaders, and teachers from every part of this state to push forward and implement bold reforms that will mean better schools for all of our kids. As we move toward implementing the core of the Regents reform agenda, I am committed to ensuring that the State Education Department will work in close partnership with districts and individual schools to capitalize on that commitment and fully implement meaningful, lasting change," said King.

King will succeed David M. Steiner, who announced in April plans to return to his former position as Dean of the Hunter College School of Education.  King will be the 14th Education Commissioner to serve the State since the position was created in 1904.  He will be the first African-American and first Puerto Rican Commissioner of Education in New York State.  His salary as Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York will be $212,500.   King requested that the salary for the position be reduced by 15%, from the current $250,000, in recognition of the challenging fiscal environment facing New York State and the State Education Department.  He will assume his new post on June 15, 2011.  Until that time, David Steiner will continue to serve as Commissioner.

As Commissioner of Education, Dr. King will serve as chief executive officer of the State Education Department and as President of the University of the State of New York (USNY). USNY is comprised of more than 7,000 public and independent elementary and secondary schools; 270 public, independent and proprietary colleges and universities; 7,000 libraries; 900 museums; 25 public broadcasting facilities; 3,000 historical repositories; 436 proprietary schools; 48 professions encompassing more than 761,000 licensees plus 240,000 certified educators; and services for children and adults with disabilities.

Prior to his appointment as Senior Deputy Commissioner, King served as a Managing Director with Uncommon Schools, a non-profit charter management organization that operates some of the highest performing urban public schools in New York and New Jersey. Prior to joining Uncommon Schools, King was a Co-Founder and Co-Director for Curriculum and Instruction of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School.  Under his leadership, Roxbury Prep’s students attained the highest state exam scores of any urban middle school in Massachusetts, closed the racial achievement gap, and outperformed students from not only the Boston district schools but also the city’s affluent suburbs.  Prior to founding Roxbury Prep, King taught high school history in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Boston, Massachusetts. 

King earned a B.A. in Government from Harvard University, an M.A. in the Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administrative Practice from Teachers College, Columbia University.   In addition, King has served on the board of New Leaders for New Schools, is a 2008 Aspen Institute-New Schools Entrepreneurial Leaders for Public Education Fellow, and was recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to serve on the U.S. Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence Commission.  King grew up in Brooklyn and currently lives in Slingerlands with his wife and two children.

Board of Regents Meeting
May 16, 2011 9:50 am - 10:20 am