1. The executive branch of the government is responsible for the U.S. Department of Education. What purpose does the U.S. Department of Education serve? How does this department work with States’ Departments of Education and local school districts? In your opinion, does having a U.S. Department of Education benefit K-12 education in the United States? Why or why not?
2. An argument for nationalizing educational standards is that failing to educate students across the nation presents a national security threat; we will not be as competitive as our international competitors without a strong standardized education system. Is this a valid argument? Are there reasonable alternatives other than national education standards to protect national security? What other reasons are there for national educational standards other than promoting national security?
Sample Answer
1. The U.S. Department of Education
What purpose does the U.S. Department of Education serve?
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) serves to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages. Its core mission, established in 1980, includes:
Strengthening the federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual: This involves enforcing civil rights laws in education, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (prohibiting discrimination based on race), Title IX of the Education Amendments (prohibiting sex discrimination), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (prohibiting disability discrimination).
Supplementing and complementing state and local efforts: ED provides financial assistance and support to states, local school systems, and other educational entities to improve the quality of education, particularly for disadvantaged students.
Encouraging public, parental, and student involvement in federal education programs.
Promoting improvements in education quality through federally supported research, evaluation, and information sharing. This includes conducting high-quality research and evaluation through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
Improving the coordination and management of federal education activities.
Increasing the accountability of federal education programs to the President, Congress, and the public.