Policy Making in the Federal System

A policy area in the middle of these cross-currents is elementary and secondary
education – a subject traditionally under local control, with some oversight by
the states. However, during the last four decades – especially since 2001 – the
national government’s role in education has grown significantly as a result of
initiatives by Republican and Democratic administrations. Use the assigned
resources to inform yourself about this role and the arguments of its supporters
and critics.
In your initial post of at least 200-250 words, briefly
summarize the national government’s education policies. Explain the main pros
and cons in the debate about these policies. Evaluate them from two
perspectives:
The policies’ effectiveness in improving the quality of U.S. elementary and
secondary education. (Justify your assessment by clearly explaining your
definition of “effectiveness” and how it should be measured or determined.)
Their consistency with the constitutional framework of federalism. (Justify
your assessment by clearly explaining your interpretation of American
federalism’s constitutional framework and why federal education policies are or
are not consistent with it.)