Schools boards all over this country are trusted by the public to make the crucial decisions about how we will educate our children and prepare them for successful careers and fulfilling lives. We entrust local citizens with the responsibility of governing our public schools so that each community can choose the direction of their own children's educational experience. Our public schools are the front line in the fight to create a fair and just society governed by thoughtful citizens.
Everyday in America important decisions are made at the school board level about both what kind of curriculum, and what values we should be teaching our children. Controversial issues like school prayer, the teaching of evolution and creationism, and how we should test our children are decided by school boards every single day.
Unfortunately too many school board members are out of touch with the challenges facing our teachers and students both in and out of the classroom. We need active and engaged citizens with an awareness of important policy decisions affecting education today to play an active role in the decision making process. We also strongly encourage young people to run for school board. In many districts you can run for school board at 18, and who has a better understanding of the challenges facing our schools than young people?
Search our database to see if you qualify for your local school board, then check out these terrific resources to help you get started!
School Board Resources
National School Board Association
Resources Promoting Students on School Boards!
Oregon School Board Association: Resources for new school board members