States' Impact on Federal Education Policy 2008 Conference

New Perspectives on Research and the Historical Record

May 8–9, 2008 • Washington D.C.

During the past half-century, federal education policy has had a profound impact on K–12 education in the United States—and states have been active players in shaping that policy. The conference was designed to:

  • Raise awareness about the impact of states on the development of federal education policy for grades pre-K to 12,
  • Stimulate new research around education policy and federalism, and
  • Highlight the value of archival materials and other tools to support further research.

This innovative conference brought together 120 education policymakers, education officials and practitioners, researchers, and archivists engaged with records related to grades pre-K to 12 education policy and federalism.

Among them were the Spencer Fellows, ten rising scholars whose participation was supported by The Spencer Foundation. The conference provided an opportunity for them to discuss new work, broaden their professional networks, and explore connections of their interests to the topic.

Interactive sessions were organized around three themes:

  • The Context and Changing Nature of Federalism in Education
  • The Rise of State Standards, Assessments, and Accountability
  • Improving Educational Opportunity: The Case of Students with Disabilities

The conference was part of the States’ Impact on Federal Education Policy Project, led by the New York State Archives and sponsored by the New York State Education Department, University of the State of New York, with funding from the New York Community Trust–Wallace Foundation Special Projects Fund.

Proceedings, papers, and transcripts of oral presentations

Biographies of Presenters