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OVERVIEW OF EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
for International Audiences
Table Of Contents

Introduction  back to top

The United States has a decentralized system of education; there is no national school system. In accordance with the U.S. Constitution, the ultimate authority to create and administer education policy rests with the 50 states, and most states have delegated authority to operate schools to local governments. There are no national laws addressing a prescribed curriculum, the establishment and recognition of institutions, the recognition of degrees or professions, the governance of institutions, or the legal status of students or faculty. The federal government plays a limited but important role in ensuring equity, supporting state and local educational improvement efforts, providing financial support for postsecondary education, gathering statistics and conducting research, and helping to make education a national priority.

To understand the highly decentralized nature of U.S. education, it is important to reflect on the early history of the United States, especially its beginnings in the 17th Century. The United States began as a collection of thirteen separate colonies that sought to avoid national control, as a reaction to the monarchy under which they had been founded. During the colonial period, the township (local community) was the primary foundation of government and group identity. It was customary for each township to establish and support its own schools. Local communities were able to educate their children according to the democratically agreed upon priorities, values, and needs of the populace. For this reason, a significant amount of state authority over education policy and administration continues to be delegated to local governments (school districts).

Examples of Internet Websites for Further Information  back to top
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This page was last updated at September 17, 2003 (eal)