'A Renewed Commitment'

By Gordon M. Ambach

As state governors and chief executive officers of companies from across the United States gather in New York for this week's education summit, their focus is on what states can do to improve student performance. The summit points to a renewed commitment to education from key public officials and business leaders. Because states have constitutional authority over education, expectations are high for state-by-state plans to carry through summit agreements on academic standards and the use of technologies.

While the summit will focus on state responsibilities and actions, the participants would do well to think about how the federal government can support state action for educational improvement. Although federal expenditures for elementary and secondary education are only an average of 6 percent of total education spending, these programs are intended to go hand in hand with states' efforts. Therefore, the summit attendees should know how federal resources and laws can bolster states' efforts. And, they should note that state and federal cooperation is why the American people have supported a federal role in education from the...