How Do Schools Operate? Who Governs Our Schools?

State Offices and Administrators: Analysts agree that most of our educational policies are influenced by the state legislature. State Board of Education is the framework within the state that exercises general observance over schools in the state. The chief state school officer recommends different programs to be implemented with a variety of other jobs, and also reports to the governor and other high officials of state on education matters.

The School District and It’s Function: The school boardIn the district represents the citizens of the district by setting upvariety of school programs, determining policy, and evaluating programs, etc.that either help or hurt the district. The superintendent is delegated most of theeducational responsibility in the district (giving advice for the board memberson different beneficial policies), since many of the board members aren’t educators.The principals of the schools are mainly enforcers of policies, but they also have different responsibilities such as: interviewing new faculty, managing school budgets,and schedule students and classes to name a few.

Who Influences Our Schools?

Professional Organizations: These organizations help determine what policies will be instilled in the classroom. Examples include the NEA and AFT.

Parents And Their Part: Parents have an important responsibility to take interest in and show the importance of school. One way to do so is by joining parent-teacher groups.

Business Influence: Good or Bad?: Businesses contribute to class- rooms by donating materials, but this is controversial because they can be manipulative by simultaneously getting their aims across.

The Federal Government: The government has shaped schools with amendments and court cases to cover issues from segregation to finance to rights.

Financing School

School Spending: Over time, there has been in upward trend in the average expenditure per student in schools. The average expenditure for students in 1995 was approximately $5,500. The same schooling in 2007 costs $9,404. Unfortunately, not all schools are funded equally. Many factors exist. It has been proven that higher expenditures per students are strongly related to the improved student learning.

Federal Funding: Provides a lot less money for public schools than state or local governments. Majority of federal aid for public schools are categorical grants. These grants are money to be spent toward specific purposes. Federal programs were successful during the period from 1960 to 1980. However, during President Reagan’s administration. Federal grants were in the form of block grants. These grants allow the school to use the money where they deem necessary. In other words, fewer restrictions apply. Presently, both categorical grants and block grants are employed.

No Child Left Behind: Also known as NCLB, this act of 2001 revised the Elementary and Secondary Education Act passed in 1965. As a result, federal role in education increased greatly. One of the requirements of the federal government, due to the NCLB, is to administer tests yearly from grades three to eight. These tests measure the academic proficiency of all students in every school district of the state. In 2006, more than 6.7 billion dollars of additional taxes were needed to implement NCLB. There are many concerns relating to NCLB and its effects on students.

Compensatory Education: Supported by federal government. Aimed towards children from high-poverty areas. Creates equal educational opportunities for students in disadvantaged areas. Compensatory education formalized in the original ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) which is also known as Title I. After the No Child Left Behind Act, title I is now the majority of federal spending on public schools.