“Political Education: National Policy Comes of Age” Christopher T. Cross Chairman, Cross & Joftus, LLC The Events and the Issues That Have Shaped the Federal Role in Education Since WWII. We Have a Federal Role: Not a National Policy • At the federal level, education has been shaped by many factors: • Race and Civil Rights • Religion • War on Poverty • Politics and Special Interests • The Economy Factors that Have Shaped the Federal Role (continued) • National Security and Defense • Failure of the State to Act • International Economic Competitiveness National Security & Defense • Smith-Hughes Act • Impact Aid- WW II and Korea • National Defense Education Act Race and Civil Rights • Brown v. Board of Education – 1954 • Civil Rights Act – 1964 • Issues of busing • No Child Left Behind Civil Rights • Title IX -1972 • IDEA – 1975 Religion • General Aid Bill – 1950 • Child Benefit Theory – 1965 • Vouchers – Cleveland Case Supreme Court Decision - 2003 War on Poverty • ESEA – 1965 • Economic Opportunity ActHead Start Politics & Special Interests • Partisanship • Watergate • Creation of Department of Education – Jonestown Factor • Small Program Creation Failure of States to Act • Many Federal Actions Have been Triggered by States Not Meeting Needs • Voc Ed • Title I • IDEA • Gifted • NCLB International Economic Competitiveness • • • • NDEA -- 1957 National Education Summit – 1989 National Education Goals – 1990 Goals 2000 - 1994 Selected Key Findings • Second Chance Heritage • Anecdotes Drives Policy, Not Data • Worst Case Drives Law and Regs • Federal System is Cumbersome • A “D” Grade in Capacity and Timing • Powerful Ideas Matter • Importance of Presidential Involvement Selected Key Findings • Hill Leaders Are From Safe Districts • The Power of the Business Community • Federal Law Often Reflects Lead States • Federal Organization Matters • The Feds Get an “F” for Student Motivation and Parental Involvement Forces Affecting Future Policy • • • • • Education as a Civil Right Second Chance Options Remain Free Markets Centralization v. Flexibility Scientifically-based Evidence Areas for New Initiatives • Technology • Early Learning • High School Reform • Teacher Education As a Nation, We need a National Discussion on the Role and Priority of Education. The Federal Government as Orchestra Conductor • In the 1950s, federal role was akin to that of second chair string status. • In the 21st century, the federal role has become that of orchestra conductor, cuing everything from highly qualified teachers to supplemental services to accountability.