EDPP+5042+Urban+politics+and+education

Next Offered
Fall 2013

Professor
Jeffrey R. Henig (TC)

Syllabus
Note: Syllabus is subject to change at the professor's discretion.

Course description
Central cities are considered to be especially in need of better functioning school systems, but the challenges they face in initiating and sustaining meaningful reform efforts are different in degree, and perhaps in kind, from those encountered in smaller, more homogenous, and more advantaged jurisdictions. This course considers the factors that constrain and frequently frustrate reform efforts, paying special attention to obstacles that can be traced to competing interests, political ideologies, and the governance structures that may favor some groups over others. Among the issues to be assessed will be metropolitan fragmentation, suburbanization and the exit option, the roots and consequences of federalism, racial and ethnic conflict, patronage politics, the power and interests of the downtown business community, proposals to abolish or reconstitute school boards, state takeovers. Although the constraints are severe and the challenges daunting, the course will also identify political strategies and governance changes with the potential to bring about positive and lasting change.

Review
Not available

Student contact information
Not available