How Suburban School Boards Develop Policy Amidst Changing Student Demographics and Political Turbulence

• In Event: School Boards Under Fire: Governance, Demographics, and Politics

Abstract

In suburban K-12 districts that are becoming more racially diverse, school board policy choices affect the education of minoritized students. Applying the sensemaking perspective from sociology (Weick, 1995) and social construction of policy targets from politics (Schneider et al., 2014), this multiple case study explores how school board members make sense of changing demographics and develop related policy. I found expressed support for equity coexists with negative ideas about minoritized students and limited understanding of racism. Combined with institutional norms about the board’s role and heightened attention to white groups, this produces limited benefits for minoritized students. To remedy and repair unequal suburban education, board members should develop racial literacy (Douglass Horsford, 2011) and establish multi-racial reform coalitions (Shipps, 2003).

Author

• Ann LoBue, Teachers College, Columbia University