Educational Governance Reforms: The Uncertain Role of Local School Boards in the United States

Abstract

In the U.S., local school boards have long played a prominent role in governing public education. States have authority for public education via the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reserves powers to the states that the Constitution does not delegate to the federal government or prohibit states from assuming. In the mid-1800s, states began establishing state-wide public school systems. States provide for elementary and secondary public education through their constitutions and statutes, and nearly all states authorize local school boards to govern individual school districts. The majority of funding for public education comes from state governments and local taxes