Involvement by the Federal Government in Setting State Education Policy - Coursework Example

The question, therefore, is whether the federal government should be involved in directing state education policy.

            The quality of schooling is of special importance to any nation. Economic performance is a direct outcome of knowledge. Income levels, as well as GDP, directly depend on knowledge, skills, and training levels. Academic skills, therefore, are very important in the market place and this forms the basis for accountability in school performance. It will be noted also that it is an obvious responsibility of the federal government to promote economic growth. States do not account for population mobility and thus many do not make decisions that benefit the entire nation. They also may not properly consider the effects of a poorly educated citizenry and workforce. Many students also more on completing education and therefore states do not benefit from the investment in education directly (Nathan, 2005).

            Local politics of self-interest and voter apathy manifesting in school elections and local teachers' unions destruct school policies from focusing on measurable outcomes. Such forces can only be checked by a neutral national policy set by the federal government. The federal government has also been historically interested in equitable distribution of income and protecting children from marginalized populations whose educational attainment is significantly hurt by shortcomings in the school system. The federal government should therefore set standards of achievement while states and school districts decide on the best ways of achieving improved incomes as per the standards set.