All information is take from Public Policy: Michael E. Kraft, lecture power points (Coleman), and CQ Researcher articles: Climate Change, Student Debt, and Fracking Controversy. Public Policy Exam #3 Education Policy Funding Public Education Trends in Public Education Teacher Quality No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Common Core Standards Early Childhood Education Social Mobility Non-cognitive Skills Perry Preschool Program Student Debt Sources of funding for higher education Pell grant Massive open online courses (MOOCs) Environmental Policy Sustainable Development Clean Air Act Clean Water Act National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Global Climate Change Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Effect Kyoto Protocol Hydraulic Fracturing Trends in Energy Production and use Keystone Pipeline Not in my back yard “NIMBY” FrackingAll information is take from Public Policy: Michael E. Kraft, lecture power points (Coleman), and CQ Researcher articles: Climate Change, Student Debt, and Fracking Controversy. Education Policy Why is education important? – Public education in the US has fulfilled many of the nation’s basic goals: o (1). According to Thomas Jefferson it provides an avenue to ensure the continuation of the US democracy. To be engaged in the political process, people need to know what they are talking about. o (2). Education helps to assimilate large numbers of immigrants o (3). Education is the primary mechanism for social mobility in the US. The educated can secure jobs easier which raises their social and economic status. In the US, education has: – (1). Given people a way to better themselves. – (2). Provided immigrants a way to assimilate. – (3). Has been led by state and local governments. Education is a positive externality. – Education is a positive externality because: o Society benefits from a well-educated population, which justifies the government’s involvement and support. o The Constitution states that well educated people help the common good, which results in contributing citizens and a better workforce. What is the importance of higher education? – Individual benefits: earnings. – Positive externalities: civic, workforce, quality of life. – Economic development – Higher education 2010 Mean Salaries of Males and Females over Age 25, by Educational Attainment Educational Attainment Male Female No high school diploma $25,740 $15,276 High school diploma $36,755 $22,340 Bachelor’s degree or more $81,461 $49,461 Should education be viewed as a public or private good? – Pure private good: a good that is private and for which there is no market failure. Why did the government choose to provide public education? MORAL REASONS POLITICAL REASONS Seen as a way to help individuals and groups understand the nation’s ideals and give them a chance to better themselves. Informed people about the system of government and imparted the nation’s political culture. Served the needs of certain political parties and helped them get elected. Funding Public Education - Trends in Public Education - Teacher Quality - No Child Left Behind (NCLB) - Common Core StandardsAll information is take from Public Policy: Michael E. Kraft, lecture power points (Coleman), and CQ Researcher articles: Climate Change, Student Debt, and Fracking Controversy. o Pure public good: provided by the government for which a market failure can occur. – Two points of view: public or private Education policy: growing public interest and dissatisfaction – Moving up on the policy agenda: feds becoming involved. – Emerging policy issues: o Access to college education o Funding K-12 education o The quality of K-12 education Achievement gap of K-12 Education in urban areas Government Role in K-12 – “Public education”. – Traditionally, financed and run by state and local government. – 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – federal funding for education. FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION How is K-12 Education Funded? – Funding sources: – Local property tax levy (about 2/5 of school funding). – State funds (about half). – Minor federal funds. – Florida: $6,786 per student (national average is about $10,000) – 46% from property taxes – 36% from state – 18% from federal government According to the UNESCO, requirements for a successful education include: What issues does policymaking for education include? – Funding – Separation of church and state – Quality of education – School vouchers – Merit of proposals Issue #1: Funding Public Education – Most of the funding for education comes from local property taxes. o This characteristic makes sure that states and local governments maintain control over school curriculum. States provide 50% (historically much more). – This form of financing has encountered several problems: - Property taxes are not buoyant (property taxes do not keep up with the pace of rising costs of education). Healthy, well-nourished, and motivated children. Well-trained teachers and active learning techniques. Adequate facilities and learning materials. Relevant curriculum. 1. Welcoming and encouraging environment. 2. Clear definition and accurate assessment of learning outcomes. 3. Participatory governance and management. 4. Respect and engagement with/for communities and cultures.All information is take from Public Policy: Michael E. Kraft, lecture power points (Coleman), and CQ Researcher articles: Climate Change, Student Debt, and Fracking Controversy. - Equity: property tax revenue varies within the 50 states and within the states themselves. Equity is very difficult to measure. Students from poor areas may be receiving poor quality of education. – Many believe that this type of financing is inequitable and should be replaced with a state or federal funding system. – School funding has a direct bearing on the quality of education. Issue #2: Separation of Church and State – The first amendment of the Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” – The two clauses that deal with freedom of religion are: - The Establishment Clause: part of the First Amendment of
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