Day 75: A national conference

Over the weekend, state superintendent Debbie Critchfield and members of her executive team flew to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual Council of Chief State School Officers Conference.

On Monday, the second day of the event, the team attended a presentation from North Dakota’s state superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who serves as the organization’s CEO and board president. They later attended a session about school accountability, and a presentation from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

The superintendent also listened to a presentation from Joanna P. McCallie, former women’s basketball coach at Duke University.

Critchfield met former Duke basketball coach Joanna McCallie on Monday / via the State Department of Education

Critchfield’s adventures in the nation’s capital haven’t distracted from her Boise-based duties — she has spoken with lawmakers and State Department staff members on the phone throughout the trip.

And as an added bonus, Critchfield took time Saturday to meet up with students from her hometown at the Capitol Mall. The Oakley students are visiting D.C. on their annual Spring Break trip.

While in Washington D.C., Critchfield met with a group of students from Oakley, Idaho — the superintendent’s hometown — on Saturday / via the State Department of Education.
Sadie Dittenber

Sadie Dittenber

Reporter Sadie Dittenber focuses on K-12 policy and politics. She is a College of Idaho graduate, born and raised in the Treasure Valley. You can follow Sadie on Twitter @sadiedittenber and send her news tips at [email protected].

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