Social Insurance Programs
Student Loan debt
$1,160
Credit card debit
$700
The Federal Government's Role in Education Policy (2)
-1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act -Head Start -1965 Higher Education Act example a)Pell grants b) Federal student loans
The American Way of Promoting Economic Security
-All democratic societies promote economic security *Higher priority in European democracies - Differences between the European and American approaches stem from historical and cultural differences -American traditions shape policies *Limited government, personal liberty, and self-reliance *Emphasis on the economic marketplace *Higher level of income inequality and poverty than other Western democracies
The Federal Government's Policy Role in Education Policy (3)
-Democrats are inclined to increase federal spending -Republicans prefer market-like mechanisms example a) Charter schools b) Common Core State Standards Initiative -Bipartisan support for Every Student Succeed Act a) Replaced No Child Left Behind Act b) Funded through $25 billion in federal assistance each year to the states
Education Politics and Policies
-Equality of opportunity is the ideal driving public education
Education Politics and Policies
-Nearly all Americans endorse the principle of EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.
The Politics of Welfare Policy (2)
-Public Assistance programs have less support *receive less funding *restricted to people of low income *seen as a hand-out
what are the social insurance programs?
1. social insurance 2. entitlement program *are both highly efficient
The United States ranked out of 65 countries, trailing nearly ever Asian and western European country
36
The Politics of Welfare Policy (2)
Becasue the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for low-income workers *Seen as a reward for working
The Federal Government's Role in Education Policy (1)
Education is mainly the responsibility of state and local governments; but since the 1960s the federal government has played a larger role
Public Education: Levelling through the Schools (1)
Free education for all children was a contentious idea -wealthy interests feared a challenge to their power -egalitarians believed it would enable ordinary people to get ahead
The Politics of Welfare Policy (2)
Such programs are a political target, especially with increased party polarization
Public Education: Levelling through the Schools (2)
U.S curriculum is relatively standardized through it has never been a uniform experience -seeks to broadly education American children -Quality reflects the wealth of the community -Supreme Court has ruled the states must provided an "adequate" education, not necessarily one that is "equal" across communities
entitlement program
any individual who meets the eligibility criteria is entitled to the benefit
social insurance
eligibility restricted to individuals who pay special payroll taxes while working a)unemployed insurance b)social security c) medicare
what is the meaning of EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY?
that all people should have a reasonable chance to succeed if they make the effort *Americans do not start life on an equal footing
