What was the purpose of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act? What were the primary elements the program was to address? Describe the funding formula that generated much criticism during the first 2 years of implementation. How was it amended?

What will be an ideal response?

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) was the federal government’s first major involvement in elementary and secondary education. It provided direct, general subsidies for education. Only 5% of school districts did not receive ESEA monies. Funding was provided to assist in hiring teachers’ aides, stocking libraries, purchasing audiovisual materials, and developing remedial programs. The intent of the legislation was to enable students from poorer families to perform better in school and to learn to compete more effectively in the labor market. The original formula granted to each state showed federal funds equal to one half of its annual per pupil expenditure, multiplied by the number of low-income children. This plan actually aided high-income states more than low-income states because it was based on the amount of money already being spent. The formula was amended in 1967 so that each state received half of its own per pupil expenditure or half of the national mean per pupil expenditure, whichever was highest. Also, the definition of low-income student was eased so that school districts could claim more students and receive more federal funding. The 1967 amendment equalized the funding between richer and poorer states and produced rapid increases in ESEA expenditures.