Cecily Zamora
The US education system is not standardized, with each state varying in its use of curriculum, books, and other teaching modules. While Congress passes laws that shape the education system, the federal government does not have the authority to recognize and modify educational institutions, and education is not a constitutional right. Instead, education is a function of the states, with each state having the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curriculum. This has resulted in a debate about whether a standardized curriculum or a state curriculum is better, with some states prescribing a model curriculum framework that allows local authorities to develop their own curricula based on general state goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Authority to create and control school districts | Given to the states |
| Curriculum decisions | Taken by school districts, which are typically controlled by locally elected boards |
| Curriculum framework | Prescribed by some states, allowing local authorities to develop their own curricula |
| Curriculum standards | Set by the state |
| Curriculum development | Done by local entities in 43 states, while state-level entities have the authority in 2 states |
| Curriculum requirements | Some states, like Minnesota, maintain state-level requirements that must be met |
| Curriculum recommendations | Some states, like Rhode Island and Arkansas, develop curriculum at the state level and provide recommendations for local districts to follow |
| Curriculum discretion | Some states, like South Carolina and Texas, grant local schools and districts discretion for curriculum development |
| Curriculum implementation | Once a legally permissible curriculum is defined, courts have given schools and districts broad discretion to implement it |
| Curriculum restrictions | Teachers must carry out the curriculum and abide by any restrictions |
| Curriculum and federal government | The federal government does not have the authority to recognize or modify educational curriculums, but it does play a role in evaluating each school district |
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What You'll Learn
The federal government's role
Congress passes laws that shape the education system, and federal funding is also provided to schools with low-income students through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The federal government also plays a role in evaluating each school district through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation's Report Card.
While the federal government does not have the authority to recognize or modify educational institutions, it does set standards that institutions must meet to receive federal funding. For example, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides funding to help students with disabilities access education, and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) focused on improving education standards and accountability. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gave states more control over setting goals and measuring student achievement.
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State-developed curriculum requirements
In the United States, education has traditionally been a state function, with each state having the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curriculum. The federal government has historically played a minor role in education, with the 10th Amendment to the Constitution serving as the basis for making education a function of the states.
State-level entities, such as state boards of education and state education agency leaders, have the authority to develop curriculum in some states. Local entities, such as school districts and local schools, have the authority to develop curriculum in most states, with 43 states granting this authority to local entities. In some cases, both state-level and local entities have some authority to develop the curriculum.
While states have the primary authority over curriculum development, federal laws and policies also shape the education system. For example, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provided federal funding to benefit schools with low-income students, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that students with disabilities have access to education. The federal government also plays a role in evaluating each school district through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
The development and implementation of state-developed curriculum requirements involve a complex interplay between state and federal laws, local authorities, and educational stakeholders. The specific details of curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes can vary from state to state, reflecting the unique needs and priorities of each state's educational system.
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Local curriculum development
Curriculum development is a complex process that involves various stakeholders, including large publishing firms, school districts, and teachers. Local curriculum development is influenced by state-level decisions and federal laws, but it also allows for flexibility to meet local needs and priorities.
In the United States, each state has the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curricula. This authority stems from the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which established education as a function of the states. While the federal government has played a role in education, passing laws such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA) to provide funding and support, the specific curriculum details vary from state to state.
The process of local curriculum development involves analyzing the needs and goals of the learners, determining the scope and concepts to be included, and selecting appropriate teaching materials and resources. Teachers play a crucial role in this process, drawing on their local knowledge networks and working collaboratively to construct a coherent curriculum that aligns with state frameworks while meeting the specific needs of their students.
While local curriculum development offers flexibility and the ability to tailor education to local contexts, it must also adhere to legal parameters. Courts have the final say in ensuring that curricula do not violate students' constitutional rights or federal laws, such as the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the promotion of religion in public schools.
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Curriculum and constitutional rights
The US Constitution has primacy over state laws, but each state has the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curriculum. While the federal government has historically played a minor role in education, Congress passes laws that shape the education system. For instance, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provided federal funding to benefit schools with low-income students. The federal government also plays a role in evaluating each school district and administering the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
State constitutions require the operation of education systems, and school boards are elected to make important decisions for community schools, including those related to materials and instruction. School districts, typically controlled by locally elected boards, have the authority to make educational decisions for their schools, including decisions about the curriculum and methods of instruction. However, they must remain within the limits set by the state. Teachers, as employees, must carry out the curriculum and abide by any restrictions, and they do not have the right to use teaching materials and methodologies that go against school policy.
Parents have a constitutional right to raise their children and control their upbringing. They can request to review the curriculum, visit classrooms, or opt out of lessons. However, the courts have established that parents do not have the right to direct how a public school teaches their children. For example, in a case from 2018, a family alleged that a long-standing "Bible in the Schools" class was unconstitutional as it was intended to inculcate a religion. The court disagreed, stating that while parents have the right to raise their children, schools can cross constitutional lines if they embrace the tenets of a particular religious faith.
Curriculum decisions must also consider the constitutional rights of students. For example, the 14th Amendment protects students from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, or ethnicity. Additionally, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps ensure that students with disabilities have access to education like their peers.
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National standards in education
In the United States, education has traditionally been a state function. Each state has the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curriculum. The federal government does not have the authority to recognize or modify educational institutions, and it is not legal for the Department of Education to supervise or direct any curriculum.
However, the federal government has played a minor role in education, and Congress passes laws that shape the education system. For example, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provided federal funding to benefit schools with low-income students, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps students with disabilities access education. The federal government also plays a role in evaluating each school district through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
There is a debate about whether a state curriculum is better than a standardized curriculum. The Common Core State Standards, launched in 2010, have gained support from the majority of states for Math and Language subjects, but other subjects still use the state curriculum. Proponents of a state curriculum argue that students will be able to learn more effectively when the curriculum is relevant to their specific state. On the other hand, some argue that there is a need for national voluntary standards in education to ensure that all students receive a good education and are challenged to reach their full potential.
While the federal government does not have direct control over curricula, it can influence the standards and curriculum in public schools through its funding and legislative powers. States typically prescribe a model curriculum framework, allowing local authorities to develop their own curricula based on general state goals. Ultimately, the educational system in the United States is a complex interplay of federal, state, and local laws, with each state having the authority to create and control its own school districts.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, each state has the authority to create and control school districts and define their standards and curriculum. However, the federal constitution has primacy, and the federal government plays a role in evaluating each school district.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are some key federal laws that have shaped the education system in America.
Public school curricula cannot violate the Establishment Clause. For example, in Deal v. Mercer County Schools, a family alleged that a "Bible in the Schools" class was unconstitutional as it was intended to inculcate a religion rather than teach about it. Therefore, states must ensure that their curriculum does not violate students' constitutional rights.
