Week's Events Herald Debate on Federal K-12 Policies

By Erik W. Robelen

Washington

The appropriate federal role in schools emerged as a prime debate topic here last week, foreshadowing the discussion likely to unfold this year as Congress reauthorizes the main federal K-12 education law.

During a Senate hearing, three Republican governors urged Congress to rethink federal involvement in the schools by granting states increased power to exercise what they say is their explicit constitutional duty.

"Give us more flexibility so that federal programs and dollars complement and integrate with our state reforms," Gov. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey told members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee during...