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Abstract

Although the idea of “community control” has been criticized as unworkable by some social scientists and educators, it is reemerging as a possible alternative to present bureaucratic arrangements in public education and in other urban service areas. This article summarizes some of these criticisms and responds to them. The refutations are based on theory from the literature of urban politics and education and on previous empirical research in this area. It is proposed that the arguments against community control are weak and that therefore this idea should be given an opportunity to operate at the local level. The article provides a framework that encompasses a grassroots perspective. This approach has been overlooked by those who have studied participatory reforms in urban education.

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Community Control: A Grassroots Response

Abstract

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References