Proposals for Reform Executive Summary Education reform is the source of acute interest in California. While much has been written about the eroding quality of the state's schools, not enough attention has been focused on the role of the federal government. Too often, federal policy has simply added another level of bureaucracy to an already inflexible school system rather than complementing state efforts that promote innovation and reform.
Federal mandates shift costs to the state, local districts, and schools.
Moreover, federal bureaucracy fails to respect the state's primary role in educating children, not to mention the interests of schools, teachers, parents, and students. The following briefing is a comprehensive examination of the relationship between the federal government and California policymakers, the state Department of Education, local districts, schools, and families. It also looks at ongoing education debates on Capitol Hill. Most Title I funding, federal money targeted to low-income children for extra academic instruction, is sent to school districts. Since Title I's inception, academic performance among low-income children has worsened.