The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education

A LWVUS Study

In June, 2010 the delegates to the League of Women Voters Convention proposed and passed a study of the role of federal government in public education in the United States. The study is scheduled for completion in March 2012 and, if consensus can be reached, a national League position will be published on this issue. The study packet is posted here.

Scope of the Study


The scope of the study, as adopted by the LWVUS Board, states:

The Education Study scope is broad and includes the following areas under the role of the federal government in public education (preK through grade 12): the history, funding and equity issues which are addressed under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the common core standards/assessments which are required for many federal grant programs but are national, not federal. The culminating position will address only those issues delineated in the scope.

Although the study focuses on the federal government, the original intent of the study included the Common Core Standards. These were written and funded by the National Governors’ Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Historically we have always had national standards written by the teaching organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Math and the National Council of Teachers of English. However, the discussion here will focus upon how these new standards called Common Core State Standards will be used by the federal government.

Timeline


  • June 2010: The “Role of the Federal Government in Public Education” proposed and passed at the biennial League of Women Voters Convention in Atlanta, GA
  • October 2010: The committee and scope approved by the LWVUS Board of Directors
  • November 2010 to April 2011: Study materials, leaders’ guide, consensus questions, resources and timeline under development
  • April 2011: Consensus questions approved by the LWVUS Board of Directors
  • May through November 2011: Local Leagues study the “Role of the Federal Government in Public Education” and come to consensus
  • November 30, 2011: Consensus reports due to LWVUS website at www.lwv.org
  • December 2011 to February 2012: Committee analyzes the data from consensus and writes the position paper for the “Role of the Federal Government in Public Education
  • March 2012: LWVUS Board of Directors reviews the consensus results for comment and approval of the position for the “Role of the Federal Government in Public Education”