Control:
* Curriculum Standards: While the federal government plays a minor role (e.g., setting standards for certain programs like special education), states are primarily responsible for setting curriculum standards, determining what subjects are taught and at what level. This leads to significant variations in the content and rigor of education across states. Some states have very detailed standards, while others are more flexible.
* Teacher Certification and Licensing: States independently establish requirements for teacher certification and licensing, including educational qualifications, testing requirements, and continuing professional development. This can affect the quality and experience of teachers across different states.
* School Accountability and Assessment: States design and implement their own systems for evaluating school performance, often through standardized testing. The types of tests used, the weight given to test scores in accountability measures, and the consequences for low-performing schools differ considerably.
* School Governance: The structure of school governance varies. Some states have centralized control with strong state education agencies, while others grant more autonomy to local school districts. This impacts everything from budget decisions to hiring practices.
* Charter Schools and Vouchers: The legality and extent of charter schools and school voucher programs vary widely by state. Some states actively promote these alternatives to traditional public schools, while others severely restrict or prohibit them.
Funding:
* Funding Sources: State funding is a major source of public school revenue, but the proportion varies considerably. Other significant sources include local property taxes, federal funds (often tied to specific programs), and sometimes state lotteries. The reliance on local property taxes can create significant inequities, as wealthier districts generally have higher property values and thus greater funding per student.
* Funding Formulas: States employ different formulas to distribute state funds to school districts. These formulas often consider factors like student enrollment, student demographics (e.g., poverty rate), and geographic location. However, the weighting of these factors varies widely, resulting in unequal funding even within a state.
* Funding Levels: The amount of funding per student varies dramatically across states and even within states. This disparity is a major contributor to the achievement gap between wealthier and poorer districts.
* Funding for Specific Programs: The allocation of funds for specific programs (e.g., special education, gifted and talented programs, English language learner support) differs across states. Some states dedicate a larger portion of their budgets to these programs than others.
These differences in control and funding mechanisms contribute to significant variations in educational resources, teacher quality, school facilities, and ultimately, student achievement across the United States. Understanding these variations is crucial for analyzing educational policy and addressing inequities in the public education system.