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Today is Constitution Day, marking the 226th anniversary of the document that laid the groundwork for the great experiment that is the United States of America. Through a series of Articles and Amendments, the Framers of the Constitution provided the blueprint for federalism — that is the way in which the federal government interacts with states, and the governmental powers afforded to each entity.

When properly applied, federalism has allowed for governments at each level to function in a way that best serves the American people. The Parent Power Index (PPI) is a reflection of how this system has allowed states to implement their own meaningful reforms. With its measures of how well state policies bolster parental access to their children’s education, the PPI actually aids in the federalist process by facilitating the spread of successful programs to other states. However, federalism now faces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to education reform.

One glaring threat to the effectiveness of federalism is the unprecedented US Department of Justice lawsuit
against Louisiana’s opportunity scholarship program, which amounts to a harmful intrusion into a state program with a proven record of popularity and success. Members of Congress sent a letter today to the Obama administration demanding a detailed explanation for the lawsuit, which the administration will hopefully provide to show how this assault on educational freedom best serves Louisiana families.

Another challenge to federalism is the debate surrounding the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), at the heart of which is defining the proper role of Congress in education. Lawmakers need to realize that the federal government’s role should be that of assessment and data gathering, while setting up the right balance of carrot and stick when distributing funds to state and local school boards.

Understanding the federalist system the Founding Fathers put in place 226 years ago is critical to ensuring the success of education reform. Failure to achieve the right dynamic does a disservice to the millions of students in need of improved schools and more educational options.

Click here for free educational resources and links to learn more about the US Constitution.