When the Constitution was written the framers intentionally did not include education because they wanted those who are the closest to control the subject. For example, local governments, families, businesses, and other parts of society. They believed that the federal government should not take part in any role in the system and establishment of education. I do not completely agree with their opinion because states won't always be able to support their education system.They will begin to make unwise decisions that could affect childrens educations and school budgets. If the federal government were to have a part in education then perhaps money would not be a major issue.
The concept of public education wasn't in the mainstream during the Founder's generation. It was only until the mid-1800s that the idea that governments should provide a tax-supported education to their citizens really caught on. Remember Horace Mann?
ReplyDeleteYou are right that by leaving out education they were leaving it to the states; the Tenth Amendment stated that all powers not given to the Constitution fall to the states. It would be interesting if you were to explore how the federal government's role in educating the public has changed. George W. Bush ran on his education record in Texas and implemented it with No Child Left Behind and Obama innovated on that program with his Race to the Top program.
How does the federal government aid states and local municipalities? What incentives and programs do they create to help shape a national education policy? Something worth exploring, especially as you guys graduate high school and move onto college.