United States

Education in United States

The governance of K-12 education in the United States is decentralized, with primary authority resting at the state and local levels. The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Education, provides funding, enforces federal laws, and promotes educational equity, but does not control curriculum or school operations. Each state has its own Department of Education, which sets statewide policies, standards, and accountability systems. Local education agencies (school districts) are governed by elected school boards, which oversee the implementation of state policies, manage budgets, and hire superintendents. This multi-tiered governance model allows for significant local autonomy and variation in educational practices across states and districts.

Educational standards in the United States are primarily set at the state level. Most states have adopted or adapted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics, though participation varies. States also develop their own standards for other subjects such as science, social studies, and the arts. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have been adopted by several states for science education. Local school districts implement these standards through their chosen curricula. While there are no national curriculum mandates, federal laws such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) require states to establish challenging academic standards and assess student progress. International benchmarks, such as those from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), are used for comparative purposes but do not dictate U.S. standards.