NationStates Jolt Archive

[Please point out any mistakes/misconceptions.]

OK, the way I understand it is that [public] education in the United States is largely a local state issue, with local school boards having more power over the education policy of an area then the federal government.

Is this right?

Why is this set up used?

Actually, El Presidente has been changing that...

Actually, El Presidente has been changing that...

Could you elaborate.

I understand that his most recent policy has been "No child left behind," no?

But am mainly finding things saying how bad it is or whatever rather then what it is.

It's probably reminicent of when education in the wilder, Western states wasn't as important or as available as in the more developed states. It's just never been changed. Until now.

The "No Child Left Behind" Act is supposed to standardize education across the country to a certain set of rules and focus on math and reading. Whether it's working or not is a matter of opinion, but it is supposed to get the states in line at least.

Bush's "No Child Left Behind" and the distribution of lots of left-wing propaganda are now monitored primarily at the federal level. For example, the homosexual activist groups GLAAD and PFLAG now manage "tolerance" programs across the country and local school boards are powerless against them.

Its set up that way because the people who wrote the constitution feared a strong central government and preffered to create a nation composed of independent states with minimal federal involvement. Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate (in my opinion it isnt).

The no child left behind act basically gives the federal government the ability to set standards that all states must follow. I dont think that federalizing the education system is a bad thing, but I feel that the no child left behind act is the wrong way to go about doing it. Logic would tell you that schools whose students perform poorly in standardized tests need more help. The no child left behind act however, punishes the schools that do poorly by withholding funding instead of helping them. Thats bad policy, in my opinion.

Its set up that way because the people who wrote the constitution feared a strong central government and preffered to create a nation composed of independent states with minimal federal involvement. Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate (in my opinion it isnt).

So is education made this way because of the 10th Amendment?

The no child left behind act basically gives the federal government the ability to set standards that all states must follow. I dont think that federalizing the education system is a bad thing, but I feel that the no child left behind act is the wrong way to go about doing it. Logic would tell you that schools whose students perform poorly in standardized tests need more help. The no child left behind act however, punishes the schools that do poorly by withholding funding instead of helping them. Thats bad policy, in my opinion.

Thank you.

Yes, education is a states' issue and the local boards should have the most control, our Federal government seems to be exerting a bit too much control on education recently....

Personally, I think that in principle putting education on the federal level is a good idea, we in Australia are moving towards taking education from the states and giving it to the federal government. I just hope the execution is equal to the idea.:)

So is education made this way because of the 10th Amendment?

No its made this way because of the constitution itself. Remember at this time the federal government's primary role was defense and settling disputes between states.

I can't think of what Article in particular says this, but its something along the lines of education, roads, etc. being left to the states.

The only reason the federal government is allowed a say in state education systems is because it give so much money to the states for education purposes. And, like all federal money, it comes with lots of strings attached.

No its made this way because of the constitution itself. Remember at this time the federal government's primary role was defense and settling disputes between states.

I can't think of what Article in particular says this, but its something along the lines of education, roads, etc. being left to the states.



Yes. It reads that the federal powers not ennumered in the constitution are reserved to the states or to the people.

But this language was clarified by the 10th amendment which made it more explicit.

Amendment X


The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

So, if education is a State and local issue. Where does the Federal government get the authority from to effect it a la No Child Left Behind?

So, if education is a State and local issue. Where does the Federal government get the authority from to effect it a la No Child Left Behind?

Because the Federal government gives the state governments money to pay for the costs of their education systems. The states do not have to follow any Federal guidelines, but if they do not they do not get Federal funds, and most state governments would be in a tough situation without any Federal funds.

Because the Federal government gives the state governments money to pay for the costs of their education systems. The states do not have to follow any Federal guidelines, but if they do not they do not get Federal funds, and most state governments would be in a tough situation without any Federal funds.

Thanks.

I thought it was something like that, but nt sure if there was something I was missing.