Federal policies significantly shape the educational landscape across states through funding, regulations, and standards. For instance, the No Child Left Behind Act and Every Student Succeeds Act create frameworks that guide state accountability and testing practices, influencing curriculum design and resource allocation. Furthermore, federal initiatives like Title I provide financial support to schools in low-income areas, aiming to close achievement gaps. Such policies can lead to disparities, as states have differing capacities to implement programs and strategies. Effective federal policy should balance standardization with local flexibility to meet diverse needs.