Amid rising concerns about the quality of public education, a new book suggests a different approach might be in order, one that puts parents more firmly in the driver's seat of their children's schooling. Vladimir Kogan, a political science professor at The Ohio State University, is arguing in his book, "No Adult Left Behind: How Politics Hijacks Education Policy and Hurts Kids," that the interests of students and families need to be more central in the decision-making processes of school governance. According to a statement obtained by Ohio State News, Kogan's research uncovers a disconnect between voter priorities and educational needs, with parental voices often getting marginalized in local school board elections.
Kogan's analysis of voter data from school board elections in 11 states showed that those with school-aged children represent only between 20% and 35% of the voting population. This leads to what Kogan describes as a misalignment, with "the interests of students and their families... often different than the interests of everyone else." In an era where educational policy seems increasingly to follow rather to set the tone for national discourse, local school concerns are getting sidelined. The decline in local journalism has only exacerbated this issue, leaving national media and social media platforms to shape much of the public's understanding and engagement with school-based topics.
The direct fallout from this misalignment is not merely theoretical. Kogan asserts that political controversies have a tangible negative impact on student performance, a situation evidenced by research findings that show student scores suffering in the wake of heated local educational debates. According to Ohio State News, controversies, especially those surrounding race and evolution, "hurt student performance on state exams" with effects lingering for years. The real cost of political disputes is measured not just in ideological terms but also in the actual learning achievements—or setbacks—of students.
Kogan proposes three key reforms aimed at refocusing school operations on academic outcomes. Aligning school board elections with larger political ones could potentially bring more parents to the polls, he suggests. Making school performance ratings more reflective of student progression is another strategy. Finally, promoting school choice is a controversial but vital avenue to explore. Kogan told Ohio State News, "Doing school choice well is hard to pull off in the real world," recognizing that any implementation must carefully navigate the challenges of equitable access and opportunity.
At the core of Kogan's arguments is the belief that while democratic control of schools is fundamental, it might be necessary to sacrifice a little of it to achieve improvements in student outcomes. His contention is not for a complete overhaul but rather for a recalibration; the adjustment may help ensure that educational reforms ultimately serve the interests of what students know and can do over the ideological or political preferences of adults.
