Final answer:
The federal government's establishment of national standards without additional funding shifts power toward the federal government. This reflects the nature of federalism and the tension inherent in unfunded mandates, where states are compelled to comply with federal requirements without receiving extra funds. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the federal government creates new national standards in education without offering additional federal funding for states to enact them, the power shift is toward the federal government.
The creation of standards by the federal level without providing extra funds places an additional burden on state budgets, requiring them to comply with these standards using their existing resources.
This phenomenon reflects the complexity of federalism, where the distinction between federal and state power can become blurred, particularly in areas like education which has traditionally been the responsibility of states.
Unfunded mandates are a common source of tension between levels of government because they require states to act without providing the corresponding financial support.
In this case, the federal government is exerting greater control over a domain typically managed by the states thereby increasing its influence over education policy. Option a) is the correct one.