Isabella Carter
Education is a shared responsibility between national and state governments, with states exercising most of the control. In the US, education is primarily a state and local responsibility, with states and communities establishing schools and colleges, developing curricula, and determining requirements for enrollment and graduation. Federal agencies like the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation contribute to education research and recommend teaching strategies, with states free to accept or reject these recommendations. Federal funding for education is relatively small, with states and local governments providing the majority of funding. The federal government's role in education has expanded since the 1960s, with legislation such as the National Defense Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act addressing issues of access and equality. The World Bank is also committed to working with countries to build education systems that support quality learning, improve foundational skills, and create sustainable pathways for students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Funding | In the US, the federal contribution to elementary and secondary education is about 8% |
| The federal government supplies around 8.5% of the public school system funds | |
| Federal funding accounted for about $260 billion in 2021 | |
| The World Bank is the largest financier of education with a $26.5 billion education portfolio in 85 countries | |
| Curriculum standards | Set at the state or territory level |
| State constitutions contain express provisions for creating educational curricula | |
| State constitutions empower state authorities to select textbooks and educational materials | |
| The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) supported the improvement of science, mathematics, and foreign language instruction in elementary and secondary schools | |
| The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allotted federal funds to schools with a high concentration of low-income students for supplemental instructional services | |
| The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated standardized testing to hold schools and teachers accountable for student achievement | |
| The Draft New Education Policy 2019 discusses reducing curriculum content to enhance essential learning, critical thinking, and holistic learning | |
| The National Policy on Education (NPE) in India called for a "child-centred approach" in primary education | |
| Educational goals | The Department of Education's mission includes raising national and community awareness of education challenges, disseminating the latest discoveries on effective teaching and learning, and helping communities work out solutions to educational issues |
| The Department of Education aims to ensure access to education for all Americans, from elementary school through postsecondary education | |
| The World Bank helps countries build foundational skills like literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional skills | |
| The National Policy on Education in India aims to provide free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen as a fundamental right |
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What You'll Learn
Federal, state, and local government involvement
Federal, state, and local governments all play a role in the US education system. Public education is a shared responsibility in American federalism, with federal, state, and local governments each having a level of control.
The federal government's role in education has expanded since the 1960s, with the Department of Education established as a cabinet-level position. The department's goal is to ensure access to education for all Americans, from elementary to postsecondary education. It does this by administering programs that cover every area of education, from preschool to postdoctoral research. The federal government also provides supplementary support and coordination at the national level, implementing programs and providing services to disadvantaged populations. Federal agencies, such as the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, recommend teaching strategies and contribute to education research. The federal contribution to elementary and secondary education funding is about 8%, with the remaining coming from state, local, and private sources.
State governments have a significant amount of control over education, with each state having different standards and policies. State constitutions require the establishment of a school system and often include provisions for creating educational curricula and selecting textbooks and materials. States also have the authority to legislate in this area, setting requirements for graduation and compulsory attendance, and handling issues like teacher certification, curriculum standards, district operations, and unions' rights. States can also delegate power to county, city, or township-level school boards, which exercise control over school districts.
Local governments are also involved in education, developing educational policies and implementing assessment systems to evaluate school performance and maintain quality. Local school districts may offer courses and activities beyond those required by state statute, and in some cases, local officials like mayors have taken over the local school system, focusing on outcome-based accountability and early childhood education.
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Funding and finance
The specific funding mechanisms can also vary, with some funding coming from tax mechanisms, such as property taxes, sales taxes, or income taxes. The distribution of funds may be influenced by policies and initiatives aimed at addressing funding inequalities and ensuring equal access to education. For example, the No Child Left Behind Act in the US aimed to hold schools and teachers accountable for student achievement and address the educational achievement gap.
In addition to domestic funding sources, international organisations such as the World Bank play a significant role in financing education globally. The World Bank is the largest financier of education, with a focus on improving educational opportunities for students worldwide, particularly in developing countries. They provide financial support for various initiatives, including early childhood education, literacy programs, and the development of foundational skills.
The allocation of funds within the education system is also important. Funds may be directed towards teacher salaries, curriculum development, educational resources, infrastructure improvements, and student support services. The specific allocation of funds can vary depending on the priorities and needs of the education system and may be influenced by educational policies and standards set at the national, state, or local level.
Furthermore, funding for education can be influenced by socioeconomic factors and government initiatives. For example, the Cold War competition led to increased federal legislation and funding for education in the US, particularly in scientific and technical fields. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased enrollment rates and potentially shifted funding priorities to address the impact of school closures.
Overall, the funding and finance of a national system of education involve a complex interplay of contributions from various sources, including governments, organisations, and international entities. The distribution of funds is guided by policies, initiatives, and socioeconomic factors, with the ultimate goal of providing quality education to all.
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Curriculum standards and teaching strategies
The federal government in the US plays a role in providing supplementary support and coordination at the national level. Federal agencies like the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation recommend teaching strategies and materials to states, and contribute to educational research. Federal laws and policies have also shaped the education system, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the No Child Left Behind Act, and the National Defense Education Act (NDEA). The federal government can influence state adoption of its recommendations and policies through funding incentives.
In India, the National Policy on Education (NPE) is formulated by the government to promote and regulate education, from elementary to higher education, in both rural and urban areas. The NPE has called for a "'child-centred approach' in primary education, and initiatives like "Operation Blackboard" to improve primary schools nationwide. The Indian government has also sponsored programmes to address illiteracy, such as Saakshar Bharat, which aims to create a literate society through teaching-learning programmes for non-literate and neo-literate individuals.
International organisations like the World Bank also play a role in promoting educational standards and strategies. The World Bank works with countries to build education systems that support quality learning and improve foundational skills like literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills. They provide financing and technical assistance to improve teaching quality and the use of educational technology.
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Equality and access
In the United States, public education is a shared responsibility between federal, state, and local governments, with states and local communities having the most control. While the federal government has increased its involvement in educational policy since the 1960s, its role is still relatively small in terms of funding, contributing about 8-10% of the total education funding. The federal government focuses on providing supplementary support, coordination, and services to disadvantaged populations, leaving the establishment of schools, curricula development, and enrollment and graduation requirements to state and local authorities.
To promote equality and access, the federal government has implemented various programs and policies. For example, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 provides federal funds to schools with a high concentration of low-income students for supplemental instructional services. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 aimed to improve the education system by holding schools and teachers accountable for student achievement and addressing the achievement gap between minority and non-minority children. Additionally, civil rights laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 have played a crucial role in prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, and disability, respectively.
At the state level, there is a focus on curriculum standards, compulsory attendance, teacher certification, the operation of districts, graduation requirements, and school funding. States have the authority to establish educational policies, implement assessment systems, and determine funding allocations. However, this has led to varying educational standards and policies across the country, impacting the quality of education available.
To address these disparities and ensure equal access, some states have implemented alternative funding schemes, such as funding based on sales or income tax instead of relying primarily on property taxes. Additionally, states have taken over low-performing districts and schools, with mayors committing to outcome-based accountability and supporting early childhood education initiatives.
On a global scale, organizations like the World Bank are committed to working with countries to build education systems that support quality learning for all. They aim to improve foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, investing in education as a pathway to ending poverty and improving quality of life.
In summary, equality and access are critical components of a national system of education. While the specific responsibilities may vary between federal, state, and local governments, the shared goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to receive a quality education, addressing funding inequalities, discrimination, and varying standards to create a more equitable learning environment.
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Educational outcomes
In the United States, the federal government has played an increasingly active role in education since the 1960s, with Congress passing key legislation such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001. The NCLB, for example, aimed to improve educational outcomes by holding schools and teachers accountable for student achievement and addressing achievement gaps. The federal government also provides funding for education, although the majority of funding comes from state and local sources. The federal contribution to elementary and secondary education is about 8%, with the remaining coming from state, local, and private sources.
State and local governments play a significant role in establishing educational policies, curricula, and requirements for enrollment and graduation. They also have the authority to legislate and regulate curricula, with state constitutions sometimes empowering state authorities to select textbooks and educational materials. Local governments address regional needs while maintaining consistent educational quality through assessment systems that evaluate school performance.
Initiatives to improve educational outcomes are also seen globally. The World Bank, for example, works with countries to build education systems that support quality learning and improve foundational skills. Their global education strategy focuses on ensuring learning for everyone, everywhere, with financial partnerships to support the development of foundational skills. In India, the National Policy on Education (NPE) has been formulated to promote and regulate education, with a focus on a child-centred approach and improving primary schools nationwide through initiatives like "Operation Blackboard."
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Frequently asked questions
The primary goal of a national system of education is to ensure that everyone has access to quality education and lifelong learning, with a focus on foundational skills like literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional skills.
A national system of education typically includes standardized curricula, teaching strategies, assessment systems, and funding mechanisms. It also involves the collaboration of federal, state, and local governments, with states exercising most of the control.
The federal government supports education by providing funding, implementing programs, and recommending teaching strategies. They also focus on addressing educational inequalities and ensuring access to education for disadvantaged populations.
