Identity and Ideology in the School Boardroom

School boards, despite their significant influence over education, often receive limited research attention. Researchers traditionally rely on demographics to estimate the ideologies of board members due to a lack of direct data. This study introduces new data on school board members' viewpoints and actions, utilizing a regression discontinuity design. The research demonstrates that board members' priorities significantly impact various educational outcomes. Specifically, equity-focused board members demonstrably improve test scores for low-income students. Furthermore, the study reveals that identity is an inaccurate predictor of policy priorities. The study finds limited governance effects linked to identity, and these are fully explained by policy differences. The study challenges the perception that school boards are unimportant in educational governance. The research underscores the crucial importance of understanding board member priorities in shaping educational outcomes. The findings highlight the significant consequences of board composition and their individual priorities. Ultimately, this research provides a clearer understanding of how school boards influence student success.