Education policy scholar presents case-study examination of how polarization impacts school governance, leadership, and classroom policy implementation
BRATTLEBORO, VT – January 30, 2026 - John B. Starr, Retired Professor of Education Policy and author of the acclaimed Understanding China series, announces the upcoming publication of Public Schools and Politics: Case Studies in Conflict, Policy, and Power. The book offers a timely examination of how political forces shape the governance, leadership, and daily operations of America's public education system during an era of unprecedented national polarization.
Drawing from decades of teaching and research at Brown University and Yale University, Starr employs a case-study methodology to explore thirteen real-world scenarios that reveal how schools function as both educational and political institutions. The book examines critical questions facing school districts nationwide, from superintendent selection and removal to disputes over classroom policies, discipline, and administrative authority.
"This book is designed to explore how political polarization plays out in the relationship between public schools and the political settings in which they operate," Starr stated. "Rather than offering simplistic solutions, I aim to equip readers with analytical tools to better understand why conflicts arise and how they might be managed more effectively."
The work builds upon Starr's highly regarded seminar titled Public Schools and Politics, which he developed and taught at two Ivy League institutions from 1995 to 1999. That course examined the interaction of public schools with the political realm at local, state, and national levels.
Public Schools and Politics addresses a critical gap in education literature by focusing on policy implementation rather than policy design. Through detailed case studies, Starr demonstrates that education policies often fail not because of flawed intent, but because of inconsistent enforcement, unclear authority, political interference, or lack of institutional support.
The book presents cases involving contested smartphone policies, leadership transitions, governance disputes, and administrative breakdowns. Each case is carefully reconstructed with factual background, key actors, and policy context, followed by analysis of how typical or atypical each situation is when compared to national trends.
Starr situates contemporary school conflicts within broader historical context, drawing parallels to earlier periods of American division while emphasizing the unique intensity of current challenges. According to recent polling by The New York Times and Siena University, two-thirds of Americans now believe the country is incapable of overcoming its deep divisions, reflecting declining faith in political institutions.
"Today's divisions seem more acute, more pervasive, and more fraught with danger of societal breakdown," Starr writes in the introduction. "Dialogue between individuals at the two poles is rare and rife with conflict and mutual disdain."
Public Schools and Politics: Case Studies in Conflict, Policy, and Power is intended for educators, policymakers, school board members, administrators, and engaged citizens seeking to understand how public schools function within an increasingly divided political landscape. The book provides non-partisan analysis grounded in extensive documentation, interviews, and policy research.
About John B. Starr
John B. Starr is a Retired Professor of Education Policy and a distinguished scholar whose career has focused on examining the intersection of public education and political power. He has taught at leading institutions including Brown University and Yale University. His previous work includes the widely adopted Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture, now in its fourth revised and expanded edition.
