In my experience, I’ve never seen anyone argue that the education system is perfect as is. A system as essential and complex as education in the US will, of course, have rough edges that need to be ironed out. We all have ideas for change. The complicated part is agreeing on what the needed changes are. We all want an educated society, but the specific aspects of that education and the methods for receiving it are constantly being debated.

Greek philosopher Diogenes famously said, “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” Taking that to heart, it is clear that there is great power in controlling education, which makes it clear why this topic can be quite political. Key issues of education reform often reflect key issues of society, such as civil rights, religion, wealth inequality, and family values.

When reading about education reform, you might be inundated with names like John Dewey or Horace Mann and you may be overcome by concepts like education pedagogy and various theories of learning. For the sake of simplicity, those things don’t matter in this article. I want to provide you with a starter course on the key elements of this topic.

What’s in this Article?

• What is Education Reform?
• Education Reform at the Federal Level
• Education Reform at the State Level
• Education Reform at the District Level
• Education Reform at the Classroom Level
• The Role of Politics in Education Reform
• Case Study: No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Case Study: The Newark Public Schools Reforms
• The Next Wave of Issues in Education Reform
• Conclusion

What is Education Reform?

Education reform is the effort to change and (theoretically) improve schools, teaching methods, and learning outcomes. It can involve changes in policies, curriculum, teacher training, or school funding. The goal of education reform is to make sure all students receive an “ideal” education that prepares them for the future. Some reforms focus on closing achievement gaps between different groups of students, while others aim to modernize teaching methods or increase access to technology in classrooms. 

Let’s explore how education reform has worked at each level.

Education Reform at the Federal Level

The federal government plays a big role in education. It provides money to schools, sets national policies, and enforces laws to make sure all students get a fair education. Some major reforms at this level have included:

• Standardized Testing – Laws like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) set rules about how students are tested to measure school performance.
• School Funding – Through Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the government established methods for giving money to schools, especially those in low-income areas, to help provide better resources for students.
• Equal Access – Laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of ESEA make sure all students, including students with disabilities, students from different backgrounds, students of different sexes, and English learners, have the same educational opportunities.

Education Reform at the State Level

Each state controls its own education system. State governments decide on learning standards, teacher requirements, and school funding. Some common education reforms at this level include:

• Curriculum Changes – States decide what subjects students must learn, such as adding financial literacy or coding classes.
• Teacher Certification – States set the rules for how teachers are trained and certified to improve teaching quality or to combat shortages (see my article on teacher shortages).
• School Choice – Some states allow parents to choose between public, charter, and private schools to give students more options.

Education Reform at the District Level

School districts oversee schools in a local area. They make decisions about hiring teachers, choosing textbooks, and setting school policies. Some district-level reforms include:

• Technology in Schools – Many districts invest in computers, tablets, and online learning tools to help students learn in new ways.
• Grading Policies – Districts often undertake reforms to the way student learning is measured and reported (see my article on standards-based grading).
• School Safety – Districts may introduce new rules, like requiring student ID badges or adding school resource officers, to improve security.

Education Reform at the Classroom Level

Teachers and students experience education reform directly in the classroom. Some changes that happen at this level include:

• New Teaching Methods – Teachers try new ways to teach, such as project-based learning or hands-on activities.
• Personalized Learning – Some schools use technology to create lessons that match each student’s learning style and pace.
• Social-Emotional Learning – Schools focus on teaching students life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and handling emotions.

The Role of Politics in Education Reform

Education reform is often influenced by politics. Different political leaders and parties have their own ideas about how schools should be run. Some key ways politics shape education reform include:

• Policy Decisions – Elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels make decisions about school funding, curriculum standards, and testing requirements.
• Funding Priorities – Political leaders decide how much money schools receive and whether to invest in public schools, charter schools, or private school voucher programs.
• Debates on Curriculum – Political debates influence what subjects are taught in schools, such as history topics, sex education, and science curriculums.
• Teacher Unions and Advocacy Groups – Different organizations, including teachers’ unions and education reform groups, advocate for policies that align with their beliefs about how schools should be run.

Because education affects so many people, political debates over education reform can be intense. Some people believe schools need more government control to ensure equal education for all students, while others think local communities should have more freedom to make their own decisions.

Case Study: No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

One of the most well-known federal education reform efforts was the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2002. This law aimed to improve student achievement and close learning gaps between different groups of students. It introduced several major changes to the education system.

Key aspects of NCLB included:

• Standardized Testing Requirements – Schools were required to test students annually in reading and math to measure progress.
• Accountability Measures – Schools that did not meet performance targets faced penalties, including the possibility of leadership changes or funding cuts.
• Focus on Underperforming Schools – Schools that consistently failed to meet benchmarks had to offer tutoring services, school choice options, or undergo restructuring.
• Highly Qualified Teachers – NCLB set new requirements for teachers to ensure they were properly trained and certified.

While NCLB aimed to ensure all students received a quality education, it faced significant challenges:

• Teaching to the Test – Because test scores were used to judge schools, many teachers felt pressure to focus only on test subjects rather than a well-rounded education.
• Unrealistic Goals – The law required 100% of students to reach proficiency, which many educators argued was impossible.
• Limited Flexibility – Schools had little room to address unique challenges in their communities.

In 2015, NCLB was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which gave states more control over testing and accountability measures while maintaining a focus on student achievement.

The NCLB case study highlights the difficulties in balancing accountability, flexibility, and student needs in education reform.

Case Study: The Newark Public Schools Reforms

One of the most controversial education reform efforts took place in Newark, New Jersey, and was documented in the book The Prize: Who’s in Charge of America’s Schools? by Dale Russakoff. In 2010, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg donated $100 million to reform Newark’s struggling public schools. The goal was to create a model for improving urban education. However, the reforms faced many challenges.

Key aspects of the Newark reforms included:

• Expanding Charter Schools – A significant portion of the funding went to expanding charter schools, which created competition with traditional public schools.
• Teacher Contract Reforms – Efforts were made to improve teacher quality by offering bonuses to high-performing teachers and removing ineffective ones.
• Community Pushback – Many Newark residents felt that reforms were imposed without their input, leading to protests and resistance.
• Mixed Results – While some schools improved, many traditional public schools continued to struggle, and the reforms did not lead to the large-scale transformation that had been hoped for.

The Newark case shows that even with strong financial support, education reform is complex. Success depends not just on money but also on engaging communities, supporting teachers, and making long-term plans for sustainable improvements.

The Next Wave of Issues in Education Reform

As education continues to evolve, there are many challenges and issues that may shape future reforms. Some of these include:

• Role of the Federal Government – The debate over the need for the federal Department of Education has intensified recently with the current administration taking steps to reduce its influence on the American education system.
• Technology and Artificial Intelligence – Schools will need to decide how to integrate AI and new technologies into learning while ensuring students develop critical thinking skills.
• School Choice – State and federal governments have ramped up efforts to provide opportunities and funding directly to parents, allowing them to use public funds to enroll their children in private or charter schools.
• Equity in Education – Ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education remains a challenge. Future reforms may focus on closing the achievement gap.
• Mental Health Support – More schools are recognizing the importance of student mental health, and future reforms may prioritize counseling services and emotional well-being programs.
• College and Career Readiness – Schools may shift their focus to better prepare students for jobs and higher education by expanding vocational training and career exploration programs.
• Standardized Testing Debates – Many people argue that standardized tests do not fully measure student abilities, and future reforms may change how students are assessed.

Conclusion

Education reform happens in many ways, from big national policies to small classroom changes. The goal of these reforms is to help students succeed and prepare for the future. While people may disagree on the best ways to improve education, one thing is clear: education will keep changing to meet the needs of students and society.