Leadership Strategies and Protocols to Develop Stakeholder Political Literacy

• In Event: Constructing New Visions of Educational Leadership through Political Literacy

Abstract

This paper will examine the role of school district leadership in promoting political literacy among students, parents, and staff as they engage stakeholders in the LCAP process, while fostering equity, social justice, and civic responsibility. This study is grounded in Stiftung’s (2018) three domains of social cohesion: social relations, connectedness, and the common good, encompassing dimensions such as social networks, trust in people, acceptance of diversity, perceptions of fairness, solidarity and helpfulness, respect for social rules, and civic participation. Using the lens of this framework, the study examines how school district leaders enhance political literacy by incorporating elements of social cohesion, thereby leveraging their leadership skills and competencies. A qualitative case study, the researcher investigated leadership practices that promote political literacy and collaborative governance in local decision-making. The study collected and analyzed data from interviews with five district-level administrators, documents, LCAP policy, and district Board of Education meetings. Findings provide cases of strategies and protocols that leaders use to engage and empower stakeholder decision-making; build stakeholder capacity for informed decisions that improve student outcomes, promote equity, social justice, civic responsibility, and collaboration; and navigate disagreement, challenges, and power dynamics among stakeholder groups. Leaders must be equipped to navigate the diverse interests of various stakeholder groups and facilitate authentic engagement and informed decision-making. Many districts face this challenge. “Despite best intentions, however, the concept of ‘stakeholder engagement’ can often feel like a rote exercise or an invitation for inevitable conflict, instead of a meaningful and collaborative process meant to support students, families, and schools” (Opportunity Institute, 2018). Leaders who develop stakeholders’ political literacy advocate for an informed and engaged citizenry, providing agency to create transformative change. The study identifies leadership strategies that build stakeholder capacity for meaningful participation: transparent decision protocols, equity-focused communication, and collaborative structures that balance diverse perspectives. These strategies promote shared governance and civic trust. Uncertainty surrounding existing federal education laws and policies creates tension for local school leaders as they adapt to changes in the educational system. The study contributes to the growing scholarship on democratic school governance and stakeholder engagement. It highlights political literacy as vital for implementing inclusive policies and responding to threats of state and federal polarization.

Author

• Dayna Lynn Mitchell, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona