#17 - Statewide Approval
Most people would not be aware of this or even really care, but it has significant effect on local issues.
In 21states, educational materials and curricula are approved and regulated at the state level. Local school boards may have some maneuvering room, but must always be aware of and in-compliance with state standards.
One theory is that this “standardizes” education across the state and ensures that education meets certain minimums everywhere. While it does that, it removes culpability by one level. It makes the election of school board members long distance and remote. Out of sight, out of mind. It makes commenting and responding more difficult.
Distant and disconnected bureaucrats are less likely to represent constituents and more likely to enforce what they think is correct or right. In most cases, that’s OK. In some cases, it can be devastating.
The purpose of federal education is not mentioned in the Constitution, but was later envisioned to be a place where you could:
Data Collection - accumulate knowledge about what was going on in the states
Control - provide a vehicle for providing standardization and stability by publishing guidelines and “standards.”
More Control - direct and influence what and who gets education and help and assistance that only a federal entity could provide.
Like all government departments, it has expanded to include (by “mission creep”) things like grants, rules, staistics and standards. But it has almost god-like influence on what we think. If the Education Department said so. it must be true!
This has migrated to the states. it seems like the purpose of the system is to tell us what to think, what to teach and who to teach.
State guidelines and even some state laws are OK. But control and approval of what to teach should be a local issue. Let the people determine what is OK or not.
Abandon statewide approvals of textbooks, materials and curricula. It should be local where it can be discussed, kicked around and debated in bars, restaurants and town halls. Get it back. Get control back.
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