The most sensible solution seems to be restoring power and flexibility back to the states. The federal government has become far too intrusive in the admininstration of our nation's public schools, largely due to the strict formula and lack of flexibility that comes with the use of federal funds by localities for education purposes. Certainly steps need to be taken to ensure that federal dollars are being used appropriately, but even in poorer school districts, federal money at most makes up just 10-15% of a school's budget, with the remainder of the funding coming from state and local revenue sources. Surely it makes little sense logically for the federal government, which contributes relatively little to a school's overall budget, to make ALL of the decisions. A proper balance between regulation and flexibility must be instituted to ensure that federal funds devoted to certain programs are being used appropriately, but that school districts are given the flexibility to use such monies in a more round-a-bout way to accomplish the goal of the specific program. An easy way to solve this would be to consolidate the 50+ federal programs that are best run at the state level in order to maximize efficiency. One huge lump sum payment to states would allow them to use the money as they see fit, but states would still have to account for the use of those funds. The past has shown that one size DOES NOT fit all in education, and the federal government must realize this and grant localities much more flexibility in administering the public education system.
