Roles of federal, state, and local governments in educational leadership

¶ … laws with relation to the public school system of North Carolina. The writer explores the mandates regarding special education, merit pay, no child left behind and taxes to support school systems.

The public school system in North Carolina, has worked to provide a solid education for its students, while following federal mandates regarding special education and the new No Child Left Behind laws. In addition to providing education to the students, the teachers receive merit raises that Are hinged on their increased training and individual efforts to improve their skills.

The federal mandates dictate that each child receive a free appropriate education which includes being instructed in the least restrictive envoriment. This mandate has dismantled the former classrooms down the hall where special education students used to languish their days away, and has instituted inclusion situations whenever possible, so the students are alongside their peers.

More recently there was a federal law passed called "No Child Left Behind."

This mandate is meant to improve education for students nationwide by holding the schools accountable for results of the education they put out. In addition it provides a wider range of choices for parents and promotes proven teaching methods.

The mandate demands that each state meet certain academic standards regarding what each student is expected to know at each grade level.

By 2014 all schools must meet the NCLB guidelines in all core classes.

Last year was the deadline for schools to begin testing student skills in math and Language Arts in grades 3-8. In high school students must pass regents examines before they are able to graduate.

If a Title I school does not show annual progress for two consecutive years, that school will be identified as a "needs improvement school." The district is mandates bylaw to take whatever actions are needed to correct the situation by the following year.

The NCLB laws place reading at the top of the priority list in academic subjects.

North Carolina schools comply with all federal and state laws with regard to its school system.

The schools are funded by federal, state and county taxes which are earmarked not only for education but for specific segments of the public school system.

Legislators in North Carolina have to walk a line between making sure mandates are being met while at the same time being sure they are properly educating the children in their districts.