A strong Federal role is needed in all these areas, and the spending levels are about right for current needs.

But there is a long history of resistance to a greater Federal role.

What is the federal role in the proposed new reporting system?

Democrats did not win support for a new federal role in school construction and repair.

Yet the federal role in education seems minor, 7 percent of school budgets.

Public schools were always under local control, with no federal role, and little state role.

Bringing spending in poor states up to an adequate level should be a federal role on which everyone can agree.

If we increase the federal role, then that picture gets even cloudier.

But the states have refused to assume the federal role in areas like schools, roads and health care.

Should there be a Federal role in reducing the school dropout rate?