Looking at history, it may be true that federal intervention into aspects of public education created necessary change. Ending segregation and enforcing equal opportunities for girls come to mind as examples.

The federal government also has overreached in its regulations and underfunded its obligations to the nation’s schools. For people in the Upper Midwest, in states like Iowa and Minnesota, there have long been legitimate questions about the value of federal involvement in schools. These states are top-notch educators and leaders in the field. Who needs the feds?

Well, apparently, this line of thinking is more than idle now. A major rewrite of federal education law, signed Thursday by President Obama, gives states authority to decide how to use the results of federally mandated tests to evaluate teachers and schools. This is a good first step.

Ultimately, it would be nice to see Washington leave states and schools alone. States that do well in educating kids can serve as examples for states trying to do better. Washington need not be involved, beyond ensuring the basic rights of every citizen. And this isn’t the 1950s or 1960s of racial strife or bias against girls.?No state is going to revert to discrimination in the 21st century information age.

If education shifts to the states alone, we would support more alternatives and opportunities, to ensure quality. But the first step – the power shift from federal to state – is a big deal and should be sought and celebrated. Kudos to the nation’s lawmakers who worked together to start those reforms this week.