Politics as Usual: Union Political Influence on School District Decision Making During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: Pandemic Politics: Power, Policy, and COVID-19 Policy Making (Table 1)

Abstract

The novel coronavirus pandemic has introduced the most pressing education policy questions of the last several decades. How to reopen school buildings became the first contentious debate, leading to partisan polarization of the issue. Teachers’ unions emerged in the media as vocal opponents to returning in-person, largely due to concerns about their members’ safety. Questions began to arise about whether or not unions were influential in local decisions about returning to in-person learning. Using a theory driven comparative instrumental case study, I examined the involvement of unions in the local school district decision-making process. This study presents major findings from the six case study districts, as well as the scholarly significance of the results.

Author

• Alyssa Nestler, Western Regional Educator Network
  Presenting Author