Steiner to Step Down as State Education Commissioner

New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner announced plans on Thursday to step down from his post, issuing a joint statement with State Board of Regents Commissioner Merryl Tisch.  The news of Steiner's departure comes the same day that Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the departure of City Schools Chancellor Cathie Black.

"As the end of the school year and the legislative session approaches, I am immensely proud of the reforms we've achieved," said Steiner citing his success guiding the state's $700 million Race for the Top grant application, designing a new teacher and school leader evaluation system, his work on curriculum reform and raising standards for state tests.

Regents Commissioner Merryl Tisch said Steiner told her he wanted to return to a role outside of state government "where he can continue to champion reform."

"I know he is weighing a number of exciting options," said Tisch in a statement.

As Commissioner of Education, Steiner served as chief executive officer of the State Education Department and as President of the University of the State of New York (USNY), which includes more than 7,000 public and independent elementary and secondary schools; 270 public and independent 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.

Steiner was also responsible for approving the waiver that enabled former magazine exec Cathie Black to take on the role of Schools Chancellor, despite her lack of education experience or certification. He issued a 12-page statement in November noting Black's 40 years of experience in publishing and her "superb leadership vision and managerial skill."

However, Steiner would not approve the Black's appointment until the Bloomberg administration committed to adding a new chief academic officer to oversee all education policy matters. Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky was appointed to the new position.

Steiner is expected to leave his post by July, and plans to work with the Board of Regents to ensure a seamless transition. He was elected by the Board of Regents in July 2009.