The Council of Chief State School Officers is a nonpartisan, 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 member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
 
Our promise is to lead chiefs and their state education agencies by focusing on state-driven leverage points that they are uniquely positioned to address and increasing their capacity to produce students ready to succeed as productive members of society.