Short Answer 
The Department of Education was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 to centralize federal education policies and enhance resource management, signaling a commitment to prioritize education in the U.S. Its formation transformed federal-state relations by enforcing requirements for schools to ensure equal educational opportunities, while building on previous initiatives aimed at improving access and quality for disadvantaged students.
Establishment of the Department of Education
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter established the Department of Education to create a centralized authority for federal education policies and funding. This move aimed to improve the management of educational resources and elevate education to the national agenda. It marked a significant policy achievement, reflecting a commitment to prioritizing education in the United States.
Impact on Federal-State Relations
The formation of the Department fundamentally changed the relationship between federal and state governments in education. By setting federal requirements for schools, President Carter worked to ensure equal educational opportunities across the nation. This transformation sought to establish uniform standards and improve accountability in the education system.
Building on Previous Educational Initiatives
The Department’s creation built upon earlier efforts to enhance educational access and quality, including the War on Poverty led by President Lyndon Johnson and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. These initiatives targeted low-income and minority students to improve their educational outcomes. Additionally, the Department responded to concerns about educational equality, intensified by reports such as the Coleman Report and ‘A Nation at Risk’, highlighting the need for reforms to boost American students’ competencies on a global scale.