#167 Public Education Needs More Democracy, Not Less
Nov 16, 2023
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Education policy scholar Jonathan Collins discusses the importance of school boards in promoting participatory local democracy. He highlights the need for democratic decision-making in education, the role of school boards in supporting vulnerable students, and the challenges of making school board meetings more inclusive. Collins emphasizes the need for optimism and repair in the education system, while exploring the contrasting viewpoints of Democrats and technocrats.
School boards serve as accessible entry points to democracy, allowing community members to participate in decision-making and collectively solve problems in public education.
Democratic practices in schools, such as fostering deliberation and discourse, can empower vulnerable students and ensure equitable resource allocation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Democracy in Schools
Jonathan Collins, a political scientist and education scholar, emphasizes the need for more democracy in schools. He argues that democratic practices in education, such as involving young people in decision-making and fostering deliberation and discussion, are essential for producing outcomes that benefit all students. Collins believes that school boards play a crucial role as crucibles of local democracy, allowing community members to engage in democratic decision-making. While he acknowledges the flaws and challenges faced by school boards, he emphasizes the importance of improving the institution rather than abolishing it. Collins suggests implementing measures like participatory budgeting, creating opportunities for discourse, and building trust between school boards and the community to enhance democratic practices in education.
School Boards as Spaces for Deliberative Norms
Jonathan Collins highlights the unique role of school boards as spaces for deliberative norms or deliberative culture. He argues that these norms should create an environment where community members can engage in discourse and deliberation when they have concerns or suggestions. Collins advocates for school board meetings that prioritize dialogue, small group discussions on specific issues, and regular reassessment to address public comments and ensure accountability. By building trust and involving stakeholders in decision-making, school boards can become more responsive to community needs and ensure that policies align with the values and aspirations of the students and families they serve.
The Potential of School Boards as Democratic Institutions
Jonathan Collins sees school boards as valuable democratic institutions due to their connection to public education, which most Americans have experienced. He highlights that school boards provide accessible entry points to democratic decision-making, unlike many other complex issues. Collins believes that democratic practices in schools can foster citizenship and self-governing skills, aligning with the original purpose of public education. He emphasizes the need to re-establish the relationship between democracy and education, reasserting the importance of school boards as spaces for democratic practices and the potential for public education to function as a seedbed of democracy.
Democracy and Empowering Vulnerable Students
Jonathan Collins argues that empowering vulnerable students is a central reason why school boards are essential. He highlights that without a system of democratic oversight, there would be a lack of incentive to support students with the greatest needs. School boards, by governing school systems, create an environment where resources can be allocated to those students who require the most support. Collins compares the role of school boards to that of fire departments, which exist to support people in vulnerable moments, even if individuals themselves may not directly benefit. He stresses the importance of recognizing the value of democratic institutions in achieving equitable outcomes for all students.
Everybody loves to hate on school boards these days. But as education policy scholar Jonathan Collins reminds us, these beleaguered bodies are actually the most accessible entry points to democracy that we have. At a time when calls to make school oversight less democratic are coming from the right and education reformers, Collins makes an urgent case for using participatory local democracy to collectively solve our most pressing problems.
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