“Political Education: National Policy Comes of

Age”

Christopher T. CrossChairman, 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 Act-Head 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.