The document discusses the political structures that influence education in the United States at both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, the Constitution does not explicitly address education but federal principles have been applied through court cases. States each have their own constitutions that require education at the K-12 level and address standards of quality and effectiveness. The interplay between constitutional law, statutes, court rulings, and political pressures shape educational policy debates as groups leverage the legal framework for their positions.

1. Political Structures and Schools A short primer

2. Constitutional structures: Federal Federal constitution: nothing explicit, but application of constitutional principles to education “ Police powers” and the 10th amendment 14th amendment and Brown v. Board of Education (1954) San Antonio v. Rodriguez (1973) and the limits of protected classes The power of the federal purse (e.g., No Child Left Behind Act, Lau v. Nichols )

3. Constitutional structures: States State constitutions bind each state separately As with the federal constitution and federal courts, state courts have ultimate interpretation of state constitutions States thus are bound by both their own constitutions and the federal constitution General features Substantive requirements for education (unlike the feds!) Some assurance of education at K-12 level Some language about efficiency, effectiveness, or quality

4. The fabric of educational politics Law and politics: warp and weft Constitutions, laws, and court opinions provide a structure that responds to political pressures Political debates use the legal structure for rhetoric, as a type of moral authority

5. Fabric of educational politics, cont’d Major theoretical question: what determines outcomes? Some ideas: Pluralist model (interest-group coalitions and access) Conflict model (schools as arena for conflict) Organizational model (school systems can act on their own behalf)