THE EFFECT OF NCLB ON STATE BOARD AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RELATIONS: A PENNSYLVANIA EXAMPLE

摘要: The political environment created by the high expectation for educational systems voters, coupled with requirements of federal legislation, and gains to be made reform politicians exert a downward pressure on local school boards. As result, boards are being isolated from control that they have traditionally enjoyed. Federal efforts such as NCLB required state bureaucratic reforms demanding higher levels conformity centralized education policy in many jurisdictions. may no longer representatives but simply administrators at level. This qualitative study investigates whether set Pennsylvania is losing traditional autonomy how this occurring. Using critical case design, relationship between Allegheny County, State Board Education (PSBE) considered relation principal agent theory (PAT). PAT widely used social sciences provides basic framework investigating role individual organizational interests, information flows, incentives governance settings. Data was collected interview sorted codes based an priori content analysis. These were then combined create themes which interplay PSBE can examined. key finding supports idea centralizing authority over education. However, also maintaining degree implementation has generally been left Findings indicate those involved feel standards prescribed Annual Yearly Progress goals positive influence Pennsylvania. Additional findings more broadly distributed among government than expected. recommendation reviewed their function new lacks definition.