2. Education and democratic
ideals
• No Child Left Behind Act
• Horace Mann – common school
• LBJ viewed education as “the answer to
all our national problems.”
• Largest share of state government
spending – elementary and secondary
• Standards
3. Organization and leadership
• State boards of education
• Departments of education
• School boards
• Local education agencies/school districts
4. Money matters
• Sources of school funding
• Federal intervention (judicial and
legislative)
• Examining disparities in educational
resources
5. School funding equity
• Affluent vs. less affluent districts
• Competitiveness
• Quality of education
7. Performance standards
across states
• National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP)
• Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMSS)
9. Advantages and disadvantages of
performance standards
• Increase accountability
• Rigid curriculum
• Reduced flexibility
10. Teachers
• Single most important factor in student
learning
• Shortage
– Low-income schools
– Special education
– Science and math
– Languages
– Technology
11. Alternatives to public schools
• Common schools
• Charter schools
• School voucher programs and
privatization
• Home schooling
12. Advantages and disadvantages of
school vouchers
• Increased flexibility and choice
• Market competition and bureaucratic
efficiency
• Selectivity bias
• Performance disparities