Which of the following is NOT a power of the federal government?

The answer is correct because providing public education is primarily a responsibility of state and local governments, not the federal government. The U.S. Constitution does not grant the federal government explicit authority over education, which is traditionally managed at the state level where policies and regulations can be tailored to the community's needs. While the federal government can influence education through funding and programs, its powers are not to directly provide public education.

In contrast, regulating interstate commerce, declaring war, and conducting foreign relations are all powers expressly granted to the federal government by the Constitution. The Commerce Clause allows Congress to regulate trade between states, while the power to declare war resides with Congress, and the President is granted the authority to conduct foreign relations on behalf of the nation. These responsibilities are central to maintaining national interests and governance, which is why education stands apart as a primarily state function.