Chapter 9 - The Federal and State Government and Education


INTRODUCTION

National Reform of Education The Call for Excellence

State Government and Education

  • State Hierarchy of Education - The U.S. Constitution did not specifically address education. Consequently, education was reserved to the states and each state constitution made some provisions concerning education. In each state, the legislature is the body responsible for making educational policy.
  • When the Common School movement occurred, most states went through the following steps in establishing control over the schools: 1. First, the state legislatures enacted permissive legislation which allowed the various sections of the state to organize school districts. Most Northern states followed the Massachusetts district pattern of organization. The school district became an instrument or agency of the state which executed the state's policy for the administration of public education. 2. Second, the state legislatures then encouraged the districts to levy taxes for the support of the public schools. Encouragement took the form of giving funds or grants-in-aid to school districts that were taxing themselves for school support. In most cases, local school districts supported the schools by levying a property tax. These local funds would then be supplemented by state funds. 3. Third, the state legislatures then mandated compulsory public schooling.
  • In other words, the states required school districts to provide public education for al children within their district boundaries. This movement to establish the common or public schools occurred first in the new England states, where Massachusetts was the leader, then in the states of the old Northwest Territory, followed by the Middle Atlantic states. The South did not have effective public school legislation until Reconstruction.
  • Horace Mann (1796-1859) is sometimes referred to as the "Father of American Public Education." He led the movement for the common schools in Massachusetts and was so successful that other New England states imitated Massachusetts
  • The Governor
  • State Legislatures
  • State Courts
  • State Education Agencies
  • The State Board of Education. Here is what the Michigan State Board of Education looks like http://www.mde.state.mi.us/off/board/ - Please read all of this carefully.
  • Chief State School Officer
  • State Departments of Education
  • State Reform Movements
  • Lessons to Be Learned
  • State-School District Relationship
From your textbook and Internet reading about The Federal and State Government Role in Education, What are major functions of the state boards of education and state departments of education? Please place your answer in the WebCT discussion area.