The Patriot Post® · Most Americans Prefer the Federalist Approach to Education

When it comes to public education, the vast majority of Americans don’t believe the federal government should be calling the shots, according to a new Gallup poll. In fact, most want that role delegated to local school boards. In a telephone survey, Gallup asked: “In your opinion, who should have the greatest influence in deciding what is taught in the public schools here – the federal government, the state government, or the local school board?” Based on their findings, only 15% of overall respondents want the federal government to have the greatest influence on education (28% of Democrats, 16% of Independents and 3% of Republicans); 28% want state governments to handle the task (26% of Democrats, 28% of Independents and 28% of Republicans); while 56% said to let local school boards decide students affairs (44% of Democrats, 55 of Independents and 68% of Republicans). This is exactly how it should be – invoke federalism and let local districts, which are more heavily impacted by parent interactions, decide the best way to educate children. More…