One power of the states under the U.S. Constitution is to provide schooling and education. States are responsible for building and administering schools, deciding what textbooks are used, and setting graduation requirements
. Other examples of powers reserved to the states include:
- Providing police protection and public safety, such as fire departments
- Issuing driver's licenses, with rules that can vary by state
- Approving zoning and land use within their boundaries
These powers are reserved to the states by the Tenth Amendment, which states that any powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people
. This amendment ensures a balance of power between the federal government and state governments.
