In response to concerns regarding school quality, state policy-makers reformed their charter school authorization processes to impose greater regulatory barriers to chartering. These barriers to market entry could impose substantial burdens for Black and Latino would-be charter operators, as well as independent operators, who may lack access to…

In the face of growing critiques, charter management organizations (CMOs) increasingly contend with criticism as they maintain their presence in districts, particularly with school board members who often serve as gatekeepers for charter authorization. Yet, little is known about how CMOs navigate these politically muddy waters in local settings.…

Digital technologies provide new opportunities for increased participation by the general public in state and federal governance. In this article, we examine opportunities for public engagement in one type of state-level governmental body: the State Board of Education (SBOE). Limited research has focused on SBOEs, particularly the extent to which…

In this article, the authors use original survey data to test the determinants of priority conflict on urban school boards in the United States. The results indicate that school district demographics, including the percentage of English language learners and education spending per pupil, impact the extent to which urban school board members hold…

The state takeover of schools in predominantly Black communities has not disrupted the racial subjugation of Black girls. Using proportional analyses and Detroit, Memphis, and New Orleans as research sites, we find that the takeover of school districts does not produce statistically weaker associations with the use of harsh disciplinary practices…

Although research has been conducted on state and city interventions of educational systems in urban districts in the United States, very little has been written from the perspective of an elected school board, the governing bodies being replaced during this era of reform. This case study illustrates how an elected school board in St. Louis,…

In this research, situated in a small urban district with a state-imposed school board, we analyze participation of community members during a three-year effort to improve schools. Through a qualitative analysis of forms of community engagement, this article offers a framework for understanding participation. We present two overlapping continua of…

A case study of a school board election in a metropolitan school district is used to examine the effects of electoral competition and conflict on school board behavior. (Author/MW)

School board members from a national sample read specially designed evaluation vignettes and responded to questions about informatyon needs and resources. Information needs and decision-making processes were found to vary depending upon such factors as importance of the decision, amount of conflict present, presence/absence of superintendent…

Little is known about the relationship between school boards and superintendents. Structured interviews in six districts revealed that behavioral inclinations of board members ranged from passive acquiescence to proactive supportiveness to restive vigilance. Superintendents' behaviors were "more controlling" and "less controlling." Respondents…

Examines whether New Jersey school board members follow the prescriptions of reformers and refer constituents with complaints to professional administrators, or act as elected representatives and respond to parents' and community groups' requests for help in dealing with teachers and administrators. Discusses factors influencing board members'…

Using Santa Barbara, California, as a case study, the relations among the election of school board members, community educational priorities, and the accomodation of social services to public demand are examined. Given enough time, it is asserted, voters' democratic control of school policy is visibly exercised. (KH)

Reports on the size and ethnic composition of 66 public school Boards of Education school systems enrolling 50,000 or more students. Presents information on the number of minorities and women on these boards and the occupations of board members. (APM)

Describes a case study of a rural school district in which conflicting superintendent, school board, and community values led to the superintendent's dismissal, which led to the defeat of the board members. Analyzes the course of events in terms of the dissatisfaction theory of democracy. (FMW)

A survey was conducted to examine the attitudes of school board members in Nebraska and Louisiana. It was found that in Nebraska school board members were more accepting of community involvement, while in Louisiana board members regard themselves and are regarded by the public as political actors. (AOS)