[1] She is the former president of the Education Leaders Council, and former deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Arizona .

It was an alternative to Council of Chief State School Officers, a more liberal oriented organization with close ties to the teacher unions such as National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

[12] A final audit, however, showed that ELC's financial and administrative management had actually undercharged the Department of Education and outstanding grant funding was ultimately paid to the ELC and its spin-off organization, Following the Leaders by the Department of Education.

She has consistently promoted school choice and advocated at the local, state, and national levels for increased standards for students and teacher preparation, emphasizing equality for all students from the gifted, to special needs children, to the disadvantaged.

[16] Billie Orr is married and has a son who is a pilot in the United States Navy.