Media reports suggest that parent frustration with COVID school policies and the growing politicization of education have increased community engagement with local public schools. However, there is no evidence to date on whether these factors have translated into greater engagement at the ballot box. This paper uses a novel data set to explore how…

Governments are increasingly publishing information about the performance of the services they provide, in part to help citizens hold their elected representatives accountable for government service outcomes. Yet there is little evidence concerning the influence of information about government service performance on voter behavior. This paper…

This dissertation presents a historical case study of the Egg Harbor Township School District bond referendum that passed with an exceptionally high 92 percent of votes in January 2005. The methodology used in this study resulted in both an examination of the components of the New Jersey Public School District bond referendum process as well as an…

This historiographical case study of the Scottsdale School District in Arizona examined the degree to which school governance was democratic and tested the proposition that policy change at the district level occurs in response to community demands as evidenced by policymakers' Chapter 2 addresses three categories of administrative discipline…

The purpose of this article is to identify power through voting-school boards; it must be explicitly identified and highlighted as a way to empower students and their families. Implications for teachers are discussed, as their role in public schools is crucial to improved parent participation. It examines how Latino parents have used the justice…

Used data provided by Boston's election department to examine the high level of racial polarization around the issue of an elected versus appointed school board. Although the appointed board voted more favorably on issues concerning African Americans, blacks were disturbed by the loss of four elected positions and opposed to the appointed board's…

Student involvement in the democratic process and understanding of the nature of public schools can be enhanced through the study of community school board elections. The materials in this instructional guide present basic information with related student learning activities to assist teachers in planning an election mini-unit. The unit may be…

A 10-month investigation by the City of New York Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District found widespread corruption and mishandling of the 1993 Community School Board election. School board elections are at the heart of school decentralization, and should enable local communities to exercise control over their…

To win voter support for school taxes, school boards should (1) study the economic and political climate; (2) use the media; (3) explain the budget; (4) recruit supporters; (5) remind people of school services and benefits; and (6) get out the vote. (MLF)