From Policy to Pavement: Boots on the Ground in State Takeover Territories

• In Event: The Architecture of Education Governance: Institutions, Leadership, and Influence

Abstract

This study examines the persistent, often overlooked consequences of state takeover policies in education, drawing on testimonies, media reports, and public commentary from 1988 to 2025. Guided by Safir & Dugan’s (2021) call to “flip the dashboard” toward qualitative “street data,” the research exposes the voices and cultural wealth of students, teachers, and communities most affected by state intervention. Despite ongoing advocacy efforts, the perspectives of those impacted are often marginalized as state authorities persist with takeovers. In the context of school culture wars, post-pandemic challenges, and shifting accountability laws in Ohio and other states, these findings urge policymakers to prioritize community agency and expertise in educational governance and reform.

Author

• Quinci Bone't Teer, Cleveland State University