Bridging the Gap: An Exploration of a Teachers Union and Community Organizing

• In Event: Roundtable Session 46
  In Roundtable Session: Community Organizing and Public Scholarship

Abstract

The persistence of educational inequity has caused scholars to argue for more community-based approaches to school reform that bridge the gap between schools and communities. However, these initiatives require the joint-work of educators and families. This qualitative case study explores how a teachers union engages in a community organizing initiative to collaborate with parents and community members. Using theories of social capital and power, preliminary results suggest that the community organizing initiative fostered “bonding” relationships among union membership but lacked the capacity to create “bridging” relationships necessary to engage parents and community. Findings from this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and complexities of teachers unions in collective education reform.

Author

• Aditi Rajendran, University of Washington - Seattle