In its educational progress, a state is helped by a comparison of the features of its school system with the same features in other states. Such comparisons serve to set in clear perspective likenesses and differences; and since our state educational systems have been developed not only according to the experience of the individual state, but also according to that of other States, the facts thus established may be used as one worth-while basis for any needed reorganization of the features of the school system. At present, one of the most important and also one of the most common features of the school systems of the several states is the office of Chief State School Official. This office is studied in this report, which seeks to show the conditions pertaining to the office, and particularly to present these conditions as reflected by the current legislation on the office. This study is chiefly descriptive and interpretative. It describes and interprets the present practices and tendencies pertaining to the office of Chief State School Official. Enough of the historical treatment is needed, however, to give a genetic view; and, similarly, enough of the quantitative treatment is needed to show exactly the present situation and tendencies; for these purposes, accordingly, the quantitative and the historical types of treatment are utilized. (Contains 11 tables. Due to poor print quality, footnote numbers are illegible, and cannot be accurately counted.) [Best copy available has been provided.]