In this two-year study, Research for Action (RFA), working in collaboration with Jeffrey Henig of Teachers College, assessed the formation and development of a coalition of organizing and advocacy groups, funded by the Donors’ Education Collaborative (DEC), and their impact on the debate about the mayoral control of schools in New York City (NYC). An interdisciplinary research team used multiple methods of data collection and analysis, including an examination of public opinion polls; a media scan; observations and interviews with a broad range of actors. The resulting report builds on a growing body of research on civic capacity and community organizing for education reform, which examines the work of groups across sectors to identify a shared agenda and mobilize the human and financial resources necessary to move their agenda forward. The DEC-funded coalition launched its Campaign for Better Schools in November 2008. Throughout the next year, the Campaign faced several unexpected challenges on a fast-paced political playing field at both city and state levels. RFA’s research analyzes the campaign’s platform development process; their strategies in response to tensions and obstacles they encountered, both internal and external to the coalition; their ‘wins’ in the new mayoral control legislation passed in 2009; and the possible long-term effects of the Campaign and the mayoral control debate on the NYC educational landscape. Finally, RFA assessed the impact of DEC funding on the coalition and on the debate over school governance in NYC.
Bringing a Public Voice to the School Governance Debate: The Campaign for Better Schools and Mayoral Control in New York City (Year One Report)
Eva Gold , Elaine Simon , Shani Aida Evans , Joseph Kay , Jeffrey R. Henig , Megan Silander
Date: November 2010
Related Publications
Publication
The Negative Fiscal Impact of Cyber Charter School Expansion in Pennsylvania Due to COVID-19
David Lapp, Mary Eddins

Publication
From State Commitment to District Implementation: Approaches and Strategies for Personalized, Competency-Based Learning
Mark Duffy, Mary Eddins

Publication
The Need for More Teachers of Color
Leana Cabral, Mary Eddins, David Lapp, Saxon Nelson

Publication
Addressing Structural Barriers to High School Graduation: Examining the Impacts of the Éxito program at Kensington Creative and Performing Arts
Molly Pileggi, Dae Y. Kim

Publication
FAQ: Superintendents in Pennsylvania School Districts
Mary Eddins, Leana Cabral, David Lapp, Molly Pileggi, Saxon Nelson, Ammani Ahmad-Khan

Publication
Costs And Quality in Virtual/Hybrid Summer Youth Employment Programming
Jill Pierce, Lindsey Liu

Publication
Access to Experienced Teachers in Allegheny County
Mary Eddins

Publication
Teacher Mobility in Allegheny County, 2014-15 through 2019-20
Mary Eddins, Molly Pileggi

Publication
Final Report: Evaluation of the Aspiring to Educate Philadelphia Pilot

Publication
Where Do We Go Next? Youth Insights on the High School Experience During a Year of Historic Upheaval
Molly Pileggi, Kri Burkander, Justis Freeman, Sean K. Flanagan, Max Margolius, Liz Glaser, Monika Kincheloe

Publication
All Learning Counts Policy Toolkit
Virginia Hunter, Victoria Ballerini, Daniel Kent, Shanell Hagood, Montrell Sanders, Matthew Rigsby

Publication
Students Experiencing Homelessness in Allegheny County
Anna Shaw-Amoah