Learning Research and Community Decision Making

Abstract

This case presents a situation in which a reformist superintendent attempts to achieve a systemwide, yet simple change in the school time schedule to incorporate well-established neurocognitive sleep research to enhance student learning. The public discussion of the reform proposal brought forth a very negative, single issue group who took over the dialogue process using intimidation. The board of education ended the dialogue and dismissed the superintendent. Governance design and political practices trump established learning research to accommodate small group resistance.