Redistributing Power, Restoring Relationships: Innovations for School–Community Governance

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Sunday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Collective Wisdom, Networked Action: Rebuilding School–Community Relationships for Equitable Futures

Abstract

This reflective inquiry examines how power and historical patterns of exclusion, particularly along lines of race, ethnicity, and class, continue to shape relationships between schools, students, families, and communities. Drawing on lived experiences as a youth school board candidate and a teacher-researcher, alongside comparative and critical frameworks, we reveal how adult-centric structures, accessibility barriers, and systemic distrust limit genuine student and family involvement. We highlight alternative participatory models that demonstrate the potential for shared decision-making. Our analysis underscores that equitable school-community governance requires not just technical reform, but a cultural and ethical shift that redistributes power and centers community expertise. We conclude with practical recommendations for moving beyond symbolic inclusion toward a future of authentic co-governance in public education.

Authors

• Mikah Dyer, Arizona State University

• Tara Lynn Bartlett, Arizona State University