Political Science 101 POLS: Public Policy - Education Policy K12 Higher Education No Child Left Behind Every Student Succeeds Act School Choice Student Loans

1. What This Is & Why It Matters

Education policy is the set of laws, regulations, and programs that govern the funding, organization, and delivery of educational services in the United States. This concept is central to political science because it reveals the complex interplay between federal, state, and local governments, as well as the role of interest groups and the courts in shaping educational outcomes. Without understanding education policy, you can't explain why some schools excel while others struggle, or why certain groups of students are disproportionately affected by policy changes.

Consider the example of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced No Child Left Behind in 2015. ESSA gives states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems, but also requires them to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. This shift in policy has significant implications for schools, teachers, and students, and highlights the ongoing debate over the role of the federal government in education.

2. Essential Thinkers, Concepts & Models

• *John Dewey*: An American philosopher and educator who argued that education should be a social and experiential process that prepares students for active citizenship. His ideas are still relevant today, as many schools strive to create more engaging and inclusive learning environments.
• *No Child Left Behind (NCLB)*: A federal education law passed in 2002 that aimed to improve student achievement by holding schools accountable for meeting certain standards. NCLB is still relevant because it set the stage for the ESSA and continues to influence education policy debates.
• *Voucher Systems*: A type of school choice program that allows students to use public funds to attend private schools. Voucher systems are still relevant because they raise questions about the role of government in education and the distribution of resources.
• *The Coleman Report*: A landmark study published in 1966 that found that socioeconomic factors, not school quality, were the primary determinants of student achievement. The Coleman Report is still relevant because it highlights the complex interplay between education and social inequality.
• *The Education Trust*: A non-profit organization that advocates for education policy reforms aimed at closing the achievement gap. The Education Trust is still relevant because it represents a key interest group in the education policy debate.
• *The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)*: A federal education law passed in 2015 that gives states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems. ESSA is still relevant because it represents a significant shift in federal education policy and continues to influence state-level reforms.
• *The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)*: A program that assesses student achievement in reading and math at the national level. The NAEP is still relevant because it provides a benchmark for measuring student progress and evaluating the effectiveness of education policies.
• *The Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education*: A landmark case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Brown v. Board is still relevant because it established the principle of equal educational opportunity and continues to influence education policy debates.
• *The concept of "school choice"*: A policy approach that allows students to choose from a range of educational options, including public, private, and charter schools. School choice is still relevant because it raises questions about the role of government in education and the distribution of resources.

3. Step-by-Step 'Political Analysis'

1. Identify the key stakeholders: Who are the main actors involved in the education policy debate? This includes federal and state governments, schools, teachers, students, and interest groups like the Education Trust.
2. Analyze the policy context: What are the current education policies and laws that govern the system? How have they changed over time?
3. Examine the data: What are the key indicators of student achievement and educational outcomes? How do these indicators vary across different groups and schools?
4. Evaluate the policy options: What are the potential solutions to the education policy challenges? How do these solutions align with the values and goals of the key stakeholders?
5. Consider the implementation challenges: How will the policy be implemented, and what are the potential obstacles and trade-offs?

4. Common Student Mistakes

• Misconception: The federal government has complete control over education policy.
• The right view: While the federal government plays a significant role in education policy, states and local governments also have important responsibilities and flexibilities.
• Misconception: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a radical departure from No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
• The right view: While ESSA does give states more flexibility, it also builds on many of the accountability provisions of NCLB and continues to prioritize student achievement.
• Misconception: Voucher systems are a new and experimental approach to education policy.
• The right view: Voucher systems have been around for decades and continue to be a contentious issue in education policy debates.

5. Exam/Essay Tips

• Multiple-choice questions: Be careful to distinguish between different education policies and laws, such as NCLB and ESSA.
• Free-response questions: Use specific examples and data to support your arguments, and be sure to address the key stakeholders and policy context.
• Trap distinctions: Be careful not to confuse different concepts, such as school choice and voucher systems.
• Integrating the topic into an argumentative essay: Use education policy as a case study to explore broader themes, such as the role of government in education or the impact of socioeconomic factors on student achievement.

6. Quick Practice Scenario

A school district is considering implementing a voucher system to allow students to attend private schools. Which constitutional principle is at stake?

Answer: The principle of equal protection under the law (14th Amendment).

Justification: The voucher system raises questions about whether public funds are being used to support private schools, which may have different admissions standards and curricula than public schools.

7. Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• John Dewey: An American philosopher and educator who argued that education should be a social and experiential process.
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB): A federal education law passed in 2002 that aimed to improve student achievement by holding schools accountable for meeting certain standards.
• Voucher Systems: A type of school choice program that allows students to use public funds to attend private schools.
• The Coleman Report: A landmark study published in 1966 that found that socioeconomic factors, not school quality, were the primary determinants of student achievement.
• The Education Trust: A non-profit organization that advocates for education policy reforms aimed at closing the achievement gap.
• The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): A federal education law passed in 2015 that gives states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems.
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): A program that assesses student achievement in reading and math at the national level.
• Brown v. Board of Education: A landmark case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
• Separate but equal was overturned by Brown v. Board – Plessy v. Ferguson was the earlier, racist ruling.
• The federal government has complete control over education policy.

8. Further Study Resources

• American Government: Stories of a Nation by David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey
• Khan Academy's Education Unit
• Crash Course Government YouTube channel
• The Education Trust website and publications