TY  - JOUR
AB  - The decentralization of power is a defining feature of the American education system, allowing schools to reflect community values and needs. Yet, little is known about how values and visions for education hold constant or vary across districts. Through an analysis of 617 district strategic plans, combining qualitative coding and computational topic modeling, we provide insight into how local communities prioritize educational goals. Districts broadly converge on goals of academic learning, career readiness, climate and belonging, and family and community connection. Greater variability appears in the emphasis on student well-being, social-emotional skills, character development, and other student development goals beyond academics. Diversity, equity, and inclusion goals emerge as the theme that is most correlated with demographics, geography, and politics.
AU  - Anglin, Kylie L.
AU  - Oas, Julia
AU  - Ventura, Claudia
PY  - 2025
ST  - Values, Visions, and Variation in American School Districts: A Computational Mixed Methods Analysis of School District Strategic Plans
TI  - Values, Visions, and Variation in American School Districts: A Computational Mixed Methods Analysis of School District Strategic Plans
UR  - http://www.edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1353
ER  -