2. 2
Structure of a Typical State School System
State Courts Governor State Legislature
Local school districts-
school boards
Intermediate
units (29 states)
State department
of education
State board
of education
an office or
agency in a
middle position
comprises
twenty to thirty
school districts
and covers about
fifty square
miles.
provides
coordination and
supplementary
services to local
districts
legal and political
extension of the
state department of
education created
by the state
legislature
3. Services Provided
consulting services and resource personnel in curriculum,
instruction, evaluation, in-service training, and other general
areas of education (school districts).
also provided services in more specialized areas such as
bilingual education, pre kindergarten education, vocational
education, education of the gifted and talented and children
with disabilities, and data processing and technology
education
3
Intermediate unit or Regional Educational
Service Agency (RESA)
5. The state:
enacts legislation
determines state school taxes and financial aid to local school
districts
sets minimum standards for training and recruiting personnel
provides curriculum guidelines (some states also establish
“approved” textbook lists)
makes provisions for accrediting schools
provides special services such as student transportation and
free textbooks
5
Legal Responsibilities of States
(public schools)
6. State school code
- is the collection of laws that establish ways and means of operating
schools and conducting education in the state.
6
State Law
8. 8
Structure of a Typical State School System
State Courts Governor State Legislature
Local school districts-
school boards
Intermediate
units (29 states)
State department
of education
State board
of education
9. charged with making educational budget
recommendations to the legislature
can appoint or remove school personnel at the state
level, and in some states even remove local
superintendents.
But these powers often carry restrictions, such as
approval by the legislature.
can appoint members of the state board of education
and the chief state school officer (some states).
Governor
9
10. Legislature
10
primarily responsible for establishing and maintaining the public
schools and has broad powers to enact laws pertaining to
education.
limited by restrictions in the form of federal and state
constitutions and court decisions
decides major financial matters
-nature and level of state taxes for schools and the taxing
powers of local school districts.
11. Legislature
11
It may also determine basic parameters of teaching and instruction,
including
1. what may or may not be taught
2. how many years of compulsory education
will be required, and
3. the length of the school day and school year.
May establish testing and assessment procedures, authorize school
programs, and set standards for building construction.
13. 13
Structure of a Typical State School System
State Courts Governor State Legislature
Local school districts-
school boards
Intermediate
units (29 states)
State department
of education
State board
of education
14. The State Board of Education
usually the
most
influential
and important
state
education
agency
depends on the
state
legislature for
appropriations
and authority
and serves an
advisory
function for
the legislature.
most states have
a separate
governing board
for state colleges
and universities.
The precise
duties and
functions of
state boards of
education vary
14
15. Selection of State Board Member
appointed
board
(Governor/
legislature)
either legislative
appointment or a
combination of
appointed members
and elected members
15
members on state boards ranges from seven to
nineteen (11- most popular)
17. 17
Structure of a Typical State School System
State Courts Governor State Legislature
Local school districts-
school boards
Intermediate
units (29 states)
State department
of education
State board
of education
chief state
school
officer.
18. operate under
the direction
of the state
board of
education
primarily
collected and
disseminated
statistics about
the status of
education
within the
state.
carry out the
laws of the state
legislature and
the regulations
of the state
board
18
Functions of State Education Departments
19. The Chief State School Officer
19
known as the state
superintendent or
commissioner of
education
heads the state
department of
education and is also
the chief executive
of the state school
board.
usually a
professional
educator.
21. Evolution US Department of Education
21
2005
1980
1979
1867
Department of
Education was
founded as the
Office of Education
Office of Education
was changed to the
Department of
Education
Commissioner
and 3 clerks
$ 18, 600 amount
to spend
department
officially
opened
47, 000
employees
$ 141 Billion
22. Standards and Assessments
22
George W. Bush
made educational reform (No Child Left Behind
Act) a key goal of his presidency
improve low-performing schools and to hold states
and local school districts accountable for students
meeting high standards, measured by annual
performance tests in reading and mathematics
fail to improve student performance-will receive
fewer federal dollars
23. Standards and Assessments
23
George W. Bush
Accountability pressure at both state and local
school levels has superintendents, principals, and
teachers scrambling to show increased test scores
The key here is faculty cooperation and sharing,
which is necessary for increased student
academic achievement.
25. State aid for nonpublic Schools
25
Not exempt from governmental influences
legislative bodies in many states have passed laws to help private
schools and to provide public-funded aid
• student transportation
• health services
• dual enrollment or shared-time plans
• school lunch services
• book and supply purchases
• student testing services
• teacher salary
supplements
• student tuition
• student loans
26. Enrollment in Nonpublic Schools
26
Catholic schools- has the most private-school students.
Population from 85% (1969) to 46% (2005)
Private schools typically operate differently from public
schools
derive their authority from a board of directors or
school committee
