Rethinking the Federal Role in California Schools: Proposals for
Reform
Executive Summary
Education reform is the source of acute interest in California. While much has been written about the eroding quality of the state’s
schools, not enough attention has been focused on the role of the federal government. Too often, federal policy has simply added
another level of bureaucracy to an already inflexible school system rather than complementing state efforts that promote innovation and
reform. Federal mandates shift costs to the state, local districts, and schools. Moreover, federal bureaucracy fails to respect the state’s
primary role in educating children, not to mention the interests of schools, teachers, parents, and students.
The following briefing is a comprehensive examination of the relationship between the federal government and California policymakers,
the state Department of Education, local districts, schools, and families. The paper examines several aspects of federal involvement in
California schools, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), special education mandates, and bilingual policy. It
also looks at ongoing education debates on Capitol Hill. The briefing concludes that in order to improve its education policy, the federal
government must:
Allow Title I Funding to Follow Students Directly
Most Title I funding, federal money targeted to low-income children for extra academic instruction, is sent to school
districts. Since Title I’s inception, academic performance among low-income children has worsened. In the future, such
funding should be sent directly to eligible students, allowing parents to choose programs that benefit their children.
Other Federal Money Should Be Handed Over to Governors in Exchange for Accountability
For too long, lawmakers and regulators in Washington, D.C. have micro-managed federal programs, directing states to
spend money while not focusing on productivity and accountability. Federal funds should be handed over to governors
and legislatures, who have to date shown a greater ability to implement meaningful reform, in exchange for
demonstrable improvement in student outcomes.
Provide Full Funding for Special Education Mandates
Congress has increased funding for special education costs, but continues to fail in paying its fair share. Federal
mandates should be fully funded and, at the very least, Congress should make good on its 20-year-old promise to pay
40 percent of special education costs.
End Federal Intrusion into Bilingual Education
Court decisions have helped expand the federal role in instructing limited-English-speaking (LEP) students. The federal
role should be minimized, especially in California where the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) strong-arms districts
into complying with federal mandates. The department should be reigned in and encouraged to promote innovative
policies that streamline LEP students as quickly and effectively as possible.
Promote Sound Research
California and other states have clearly not benefited from a largely incoherent and unfocused federal research policy.
California should have greater discretion with research dollars to contract out for services, and all federal research
should be objective, peer-reviewed, academically-sound, and de-politicized.
With ESEA up for re-authorization in the next session of Congress, lawmakers must focus on improving the existing law, specifically as
it relates to Title I. This program represents the bulk of ESEA spending and regulations. Overall, federal policy should:
• allow parents greater discretion with taxpayer money;
• permit greater latitude in how states (preferably governors and legislatures) spend federal funds; and
• focus the larger goal of policy on improved student performance.
Federal policy must be grounded on the principles of choice and flexibility for states and families. Rather than pour more money into
ineffective programs, Washington should step back, while empowering California policymakers, school districts, teachers, and families
to bypass federal bureaucracy and to improve the state’s schools.
pacificresearch.org
No Federal money but a lot of rules and bureaucracy. Schools suffered from bad management also. Vouchers will break the monopoly and speed reform. |
