Have You Heard #201 Use It Or Lose It
Jul 10, 2025
Derek Gottlieb, a Professor of Education focused on accountability and governance, and Rachel White, an Associate Professor and former school board member, delve into the dynamics of local democracy in schools. They tackle the challenges of school boards as true democratic institutions, emphasizing community involvement and respectful discourse. The conversation also tackles the messy nature of public engagement and highlights the need for trained board members to foster trust and effective governance. Finally, they humorously critique the intrusion of cryptocurrency in education.
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Democratic Accountability vs Metrics
- School accountability systems often use narrow metrics that don't align with public values.
- Democratically engaging communities in understanding schools can create a better accountability process.
Jury as Democracy Model
- Juries serve as a democratic model for accountability through collective deliberation.
- Trusting people to deliberate complex evidence can improve democratic participation in schools.
Advice for Aspiring School Board Members
- School board members must vote equally and support final decisions regardless of disagreements.
- Develop thick skin to handle inevitable community disagreements and focus on what is best for kids.