Research


Administrative History

The position of Deputy Commissioner of Education was created in 1916. The deputy was charged with assisting the Commissioner of Education in the administration and oversight of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Up until this time, three assistant commissioners, titled First, Second, and Third Assistant Commissioners, served directly underneath the Commissioner of Education. From 1916 to 1950, deputy commissioners were named by the Commissioner from the ranks of assistant commissioners, maintaining administrative control over their previous divisions or offices while serving as deputy. Stating with James Allen in 1950, the Deputy Commissioner was a separate position apart from the other assistant commissionerships. In 1969, the position of Executive Deputy Commissioner was created to distinguish the "second-in-command" from other deputy commissioners in charge of program offices. While Richard Mills held the office of Commissioner, this position was eliminated in favor of a Chief Operating Officer.