The Hidden Economy of Public School: A Case Study of a Suburban Choral Booster Organization

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Considering Philanthropy's Influence on Educational Infrastructures (Table 9)

Abstract

John Dewey (1899) famously said, “[w]hat the best and wisest parent wants for his child, that must we want for all the children of the community. Anything less is unlovely, and left unchecked, destroys our democracy” (p. 19). Following permanent funding cuts for traditional K-12 public school, local school-supporting nonprofit organizations emerged to fill gaps and support school programs. However, the community’s intentions, results, and consequences are often unchecked and absent from K-12 educational research. This case study seeks to uncover the meaning of private contributions that support a public suburban high school choral program. The findings suggest that the choral program, which is offered through curricular courses, is reliant on private funding, which raises concerns of equitable access.

Author

• Sara D. Bender, Ball State University