K-12 | Policy
School Board Case Studies
Posted May 14, 2012
School Board Case Studies takes a close look at school boards and how the local business community can make them more accountable, effective, and focused on the needs of students.
This 13-city case study highlights both rural and urban districts with diverse school boards and the extent to which the business community has played a role in school governance. School boards can be responsible for everything from approving performance evaluation systems, hiring district leadership, and negotiating union contracts, to developing and enforcing budgets. Their decisions have consequences for local school systems, students, and quality of the local workforce. However, there is limited information available about how they function. Now, given the recent trend toward increased local control, school boards are likely to have increased authority over accountability decisions in the future.
These case studies show that business leaders—whether as individuals or operating through organizations such as local chambers of commerce, foundations, or public education funds—can play a critical role in supporting effective school board governance and reforms that improve student achievement. Business leaders have played an important role in creating conditions for success in Long Beach, Austin, and Duval County, among others. The case studies yield several lessons about how business leaders can play a productive role.
Download individual case studies:
Related:
School Board Candidate Questionnaire
A list of sample nonpartisan questions that voters, editorial boards, or other stakeholders can use to gauge the views and knowledge of school board candidates. These questions, developed in consultation with national education governance and policy experts and school board veterans, can be included in a written questionnaire or asked at public forums. They are designed to be customizable for individual districts and communities, regardless of size or geography.
Download:
Events »
Central Florida Education Summit - Implementing the Common Core State Standards
June 05, 2013
The Central Florida Education Summit will be hosted by the Central Florida Partnership and sponsored by the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, in partnership with the National Chamber Foundation, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, and the Central Florida Public School Board Coalition.
U.S. News STEM Solutions National Conference
June 17, 2013 to June 19, 2013
U.S. News STEM Solutions 2013 will bring together business, education and government leaders who have long recognized the need to connect the dots between STEM education and careers. Adding to last year’s successful conference format, the second edition will give more dedicated time for these leaders to interact and collaborate.