State governments have several key responsibilities with respect to public education, including:
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Establishing Education Standards: Creating and maintaining educational standards and curricula for K-12 schools.
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Funding and Budgeting: Allocating funds for public education, including determining how state education budgets are distributed to local school districts.
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Teacher Certification and Licensing: Setting requirements for teacher certification and licenses, ensuring that educators meet specific qualifications and standards.
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Oversight and Regulation: Supervising and regulating K-12 schools, including public charter schools, and ensuring compliance with state and federal education laws.
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School Accountability: Implementing systems for school accountability, including standardized testing and performance assessments.
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Special Education Services: Ensuring that students with disabilities receive appropriate educational services as mandated by federal and state laws.
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Educational Policy Development: Developing and implementing educational policies that address the needs of local communities and promote equity in education.
These responsibilities can vary somewhat from state to state, but they generally encompass the key roles that state governments play in public education.