Keynote: Private choices, public interests: Does educational decision-making produce democratic outcomes?

School policy makers sit at the precarious intersection between responding to the interests of diverse parent groups, attending to the developmental and educational needs of children, and supporting an institution that is essential for maintaining a democratic society. What challenges do policy makers face as they weigh private choices and public goods? How much latitude should policy makers give to private (parent, student, other) interests? How can they address minority concerns within majoritarian governance structures? (How) can the “public good” prevail in today’s school politics? Panelists will address these questions from three vantage points: the central office, the school board, and the community.

Chair: Diana Hess (Dean of UW–Madison School of Education)

Speakers: Rob Asen (Professor at UW–Madison) Carl Cohn (Executive Director of California Collaborative for Educational Excellence and former superintendent of Long Beach and San Diego school districts) Linn Posey-Maddox (Assistant Professor at UW–Madison)