Data-Driven School Governance

Data-Driven School Governance


Democracy in education requires more than participation—it demands transparency, measurement, and accountability. Data-Driven School Governance is our mission area focused on producing rigorous, actionable research that tracks how governance structures affect democratic participation, equity, and student outcomes. We study how school boards function as democratic institutions, with special emphasis on student representation, policy responsiveness, and participatory oversight. Through the Dewey Data Project and the Local Democracy Assessment Project, we equip communities, researchers, and policymakers with the tools they need to assess—and improve—the democratic health of school governance systems across the country.

Dewey Data Project

Overview

The Dewey Data Project investigates how local school boards function as democratic institutions, with a special focus on student representation. We collect and analyze data on the presence, structure, and impact of student board members across the country, alongside broader governance dynamics such as public engagement, responsiveness, and transparency. This project sits at the intersection of governance research, youth voice, and democratic reform.

Why It Matters

  • School boards are one of the most common sites of democratic participation in the U.S., yet often operate without strong transparency or youth involvement.
  • Student board members are a growing innovation—but many districts struggle to give them meaningful voice or power.
  • Understanding the conditions under which student representation leads to more inclusive, effective governance is essential to scaling democratic reforms.

What We Do

  • Map Student Representation: Track where and how student board members are serving across all 50 states
  • Survey & Interview student members, board chairs, and superintendents
  • Analyze Board Behavior: Public comment responsiveness, agenda-setting, and deliberative culture
  • Produce Policy Briefs and toolkits to inform district-level reforms
  • Collaborate with Youth Organizations to support student leadership

Key Research Questions

  • What institutional structures empower student board members to participate meaningfully?
  • How do school boards differ in their openness to youth and community voice?
  • What patterns of governance are associated with more equitable and democratic school systems?

Data & Tools

  • National Database of student school board member laws and policies
  • Deliberative Governance Index to assess district-level practices
  • Responsiveness Metrics based on analysis of public comment and board action
  • Case Studies of high-functioning student representation models
  • Analysis of school board media coverage

Resources

  • Guide: Empowering Student Board Members
  • 2024 Report: Students at the Table (coming soon)
  • Dashboard: State-by-State Student Representation Map (coming soon)
Partner with us

Are you a district leader, student representative, or policymaker interested in strengthening democratic governance? Contact us to access data, co-develop reforms, or contribute to our growing body of case studies.

Local Democracy Assessment Project

Overview

The Local Democracy Assessment Project helps districts, community groups, and policymakers evaluate how well their school governance practices reflect democratic principles. Using structured rubrics, observational tools, and community input protocols, we generate actionable insights to improve democratic functioning.

Why It Matters

  • Many school systems lack tools to measure the quality of their local democracy.
  • Existing assessments focus on performance metrics but ignore deliberation, voice, and participation.
  • Communities need reliable ways to understand if their voices are being heard and respected.

Our Approach

  • Assessments built on principles of:
    • Transparency
    • Accessibility
    • Inclusiveness
    • Responsiveness
    • Discursive quality
  • Customizable for districts, community orgs, or research partners
  • Designed to support both self-reflection and external accountability

Key Activities

  • Observation protocols for board meetings and community forums
  • Structured surveys for community and student stakeholders
  • One-on-one interviews and focus groups
  • Scoring and rubric-based evaluation reports

Impact Goals

  • Democratize governance beyond elections
  • Elevate underrepresented community perspectives
  • Provide district leaders with practical recommendations

Resources

  • Sample rubrics and assessment tools
  • Community forum facilitation guide
  • Evaluation summary templates
  • Case studies from early adopters
Team & Partners
  • Civic researchers, community organizers, and public policy experts
  • Partnerships with regional education agencies and nonprofits

Contact

Contact us to request an assessment consultation or become a partner site for testing and development.

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