ERIC Number: ED663905
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Nov
Pages: 240
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-68253-937-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Navigating School Board Politics: A Framework for Advancing Equity. Race and Education
Carrie Sampson
Harvard Education Press
In "Navigating School Board Politics," Carrie R. Sampson examines the political power of the US education system's publicly elected school boards, the reality of how they apply that power, and the resounding impact of their governance. The work makes the case that school boards, as both the direct link between local communities and school districts, and the political conduits between school districts and state and federal policymakers, can be driving forces to diminish inequities in public education. Sampson begins with a historical overview of the role of school boards in the United States. She shows that, despite the recent ideological deadlocks publicized as "school board wars," board members can accomplish vital work as advocates for their communities: forming effective coalitions with superintendents, administrators, and community leaders; scrutinizing budgets that represent millions of dollars of public investment; and maintaining a deep understanding of local issues. The work highlights the School Board Governance for Equity framework, an evidence-based set of principles that current and prospective board members can adopt to advance social justice in their districts. Through case studies, Sampson demonstrates that equity-focused school board governance requires a collective effort: just as elected board members must maintain awareness of structural inequities and provide representation for marginalized community members, community members must speak up at board meetings and vote for both equity-focused candidates and equitable policies and practices.
Descriptors: Boards of Education, Board of Education Policy, Politics of Education, Equal Education, Social Justice, Ideology, Governance, Evidence Based Practice, Meetings
Harvard Education Press. 8 Story Street First Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138. Tel: 888-437-1437; Tel: 617-495-3432; Fax: 978-348-1233; e-mail: hepg@harvard.edu; Web site: http://hepg.org/hep-home/home
Publication Type: Books; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A