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Democratizing Participation presents a critical examination of voter participation in the Citywide and Community Education Council (CCEC) elections of New York City, revealing deep disparities and systemic shortcomings in democratic engagement. Despite the 2021 expansion of voting rights to all public-school parents, all three elections held since then were marked by alarmingly low turnout. The parents of only three percent of the students voted, with Black, Hispanic, Native American, and economically disadvantaged communities significantly underrepresented.
Drawing on interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, the study identifies key barriers to participation, such as awareness, access, relevance, affordability, and trust, and presents a comprehensive set of reform options. These range from administrative improvements to legislative changes, including bold considerations such as Board vs Mayoral control, participation grants, and sortition.
By connecting the findings from New York to broader questions of democratic resilience, Democratizing Participation underscores the urgent need for institutional reform and inclusive governance. It is a compelling call to action for anyone invested in strengthening democracy through equitable participation.
Markus Schulz provides a nuanced and compelling study of the promise and limitations of deliberative democracy in urban school districts. It stands among the very best books on the governance of New York City’s public schools.
— Gary Anderson, Professor Emeritus, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University
Markus S. Schulz is Researcher at the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, Germany, and the New School for Social Research, New York. Schulz has published widely, including many books and articles on social theory, political culture, democratic participation, media, and future imagination. He won national and international recognition, including the ISA Bielefeld Prize for the Internationalization of Sociology, the Candace Rogers Award of the Eastern Sociological Society, the Elise Boulding Award, and the World Society Foundation Award. Schulz served as Vice President for Research of the International Sociological Association, President of the Third ISA Sociology Forum, and founding editor of the WebForum.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The New York City Public School System in Historical Perspective
Chapter 3. The New York City Public School System and Its Governance
Chapter 4. From Data Analysis to Interviews and Fieldwork: A Methodological Note
Chapter 5. The Elections for the Citywide and Community Councils (CCECs), 2021-2025
Chapter 6. Drivers and Obstacles of CCEC Election Participation
Chapter 7. Options for Modification to the Current Model
Chapter 8. Alternative Future Pathways
Chapter 9. Conclusion