When School Voters and School Users Differ

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 12:40 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: The Intersection of Geography and Policy (Table 6)

Abstract

Despite facing repeated attacks, local control of American schools by school boards has not only persisted, but has remained popular. However, there are many communities where those with the ability to provide local control (eligible voters) do not use the public schools, or where school-users are ineligible to vote (i.e. where a student’s parent may be a resident non-citizen). This study uses nationwide map files and demographic data related to school districts and block groups to identify and describe districts with the greatest disparity between the racial and ethnic composition of the students served by the district and those eligible to vote in district elections. This project has voting rights and district reorganization implications.

Author

• Anna Deese, University of Colorado - Boulder