The nature of urban school politics after Brown: The need for new political knowledge, leadership, and organizational skills

This article discusses the political nature of urban school districts, the job of the urban school su-perintendents, and the impact Brown v. Board of Education continues to have on urban school districts. It begins by examiningdemographicchanges experienced inmanyurbanareas since the Brown decision. The article also pays special attention to the impact “White flight, ” federal and state education policy, and school takeovers have on the political nature and structure of big-city school districts and their leadership. It concludeswith a brief overview of the role parents play in the new politics of urban education and some issues current and future urban school superinten-dents must consider as they accept these positions