Changing Course on School Reform: Strategic Organizing around the New York City Mayoral Election

Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University, Box 1985, Providence, RI, 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.annenberginstitute.org

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8

Educational Change; Change Strategies; Metropolitan Areas; Strategic Planning; Community Organizations; Advocacy; Elections; Politics of Education; Debate; Parent School Relationship; School Community Relationship; Student School Relationship; Public Schools; Community Coordination; Community Action; Political Candidates; Outcomes of Education; Activism; Agenda Setting; Elementary Secondary Education

1553-541X

New York City's new mayor, Bill de Blasio, represents a dramatic shift from his predecessor Michael Bloomberg in the area of education. Bloomberg was a national trendsetter on market reforms focused on privatization, testing, and competition. De Blasio was elected on an agenda of classroom investments, student supports, parent and community engagement, and a focus on teaching and learning and is already getting national press for changing course on education. This contrast captures the heart and soul of education debates raging across the country. De Blasio represents an opening to begin a 180-degree shift in education reform in the United States. This did not happen by chance. It was the combination of a candidate who captured the moment and a conscious community-based advocacy campaign designed to capitalize on the mayoral election to redirect the education debate. This article describes how community organizers and advocates in New York City developed a two-pronged strategy for change in the 2013 mayoral campaign and election after twelve years of market-driven reforms.

ERIC

13

2014

EJ1046140