Evolution of Interest Group Activity at the School District Level

• In Event: MWERA Poster Reception
  In Poster Session: Division L Poster Submissions

Abstract

Previous research established the significant roles played by interest groups at the state and federal level of educational policy development. The founding of Moms for Liberty in 2021 represented a major paradigm shift with its focus on district-level policies and local school board elections. Characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a far-right extremist organization, Moms for Liberty has had some success in impacting school board elections by endorsing candidates whose platforms mirrored that of the organization. In the past year, groups standing in opposition to the platform of Moms for Liberty have formed and are taking steps to support local candidates and district-level policies aligned with their platforms. The development of this new interest group system has the potential to change the nature of school board elections from traditionally nonpartisan contests to the very epicenter of the partisan culture wars seen in other policy arenas.

Author

• Pete Sullivan, University of St. Francis