When School Boards Undermine Success: Exploring the Vulnerability of Systemic Change

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 5:25 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Leading by Example: Critical and Innovative Methods in the Social Context of Education (Table 13)

Abstract

Drawing on 10 years of data from a participatory ethnography of a novel university/school partnership, this paper examines the vulnerability of systemic change and asks whether systemic change focused on equity can happen in current political times? In spite of significant evidence of success of the partnership, the city school board voted 4-3 not to continue the partnership. This paper identifies vulnerabilities and potentials of systemic school change that could support deeper understandings of how to cope with politically motivated opposition in spite of evidence of success. Points of vulnerability included conflicting budget narratives, oppressive power relations, and resistance to scaling up. Potentials included continuity, trust, and commitment to the moral purpose of the partnership.

Author

• Joanne C. Larson, University of Rochester