Can the federal government require classes in public schools?

Question

If not, how can the government do standardized nationwide testing?

Answer 1

I think PAB got it right. The US Department of Education does issue guidelines and makes release of some funds conditional upon meeting certain requirements, BUT states have always assumed and fought for the right to maintain their own Depts of Ed that set curricula in each state, independently of the federal government in Washington. Realistically, the feds call the shots in certain respects for those states that want/need/rely on money from the federal government, but the states are free to turn that money down and set their own standards.
For nationwide testing, the federal government, through the Dept of Ed, can establish "guidelines" that suggest what students "should" know at certain points during their educational development. That way students from different areas can get an idea of how they "measure up" against students from other areas.
That is basically how the SAT, GRE, TOEIC, GMAT and other tests work, for example. Those tests have no connection to the government. They are products of The College Board (which is funded through foundations) and Educational Testing Services of Princeton, NJ (which is a nonprofit organization supported by the fees paid for the tests).

Answer 2

Due to NCLB...No Child Left Behind, thanks to the government, yes public schools nationwide are expected to meet standards..thus states will require graduation requirements to meet federal guidelines. These requirements will vary state to state. So...some classes in public schools are a result of fed requirements. Standardized testing is the gov't's method of determining if public schools are meeting the standards. Sorry...I may not be making sense. This is such a complicated issue.

Answer 3

If the Republicans and Democrats have been given at the same time, they might vote to mandate instructions in public colleges. of direction, this might happen whilst pigs fly. Wait a minute, i think of I hear some oinking on my roof.

Answer 4

Yes they can. Think of...No kid left behind. Dear God what a joke.