Big P and Little P Politics: Contemporary and Enduring Challenges for K-12 School Board Members

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Abstract

The role of school boards has become increasingly more complex in this era of heightened partisan polarization and the nationalization of some aspects of education politics. Despite these trends, researchers have paid limited attention to understanding how school board members (SBMs) are navigating the current political moment. Drawing on case studies and a statewide survey in California, this mixed-methods paper examines how SBMs are experiencing national issues and polarization (Big P Politics), as well as everyday challenges of managing local power dynamics among interest groups and board colleagues (little p politics). We find that although Big P Politics are creating challenges, little p politics generate some of the greatest struggles and play a more consistent role in shaping reelection intent.

Authors

• Julie A. Marsh, University of Southern California

• Jeimee Estrada-Miller, University of Southern California

• Beth Schueler, University of Virginia