“Trash” in the Public Square: How Curricular Policies Affect Leadership Decisions

This case explores challenges to curriculum and books in K–12 settings through two scenarios. In the first scenario, community members disrupt a school board meeting, and in the second, a parent demands to have books removed from a school. Participants will examine issues that school and district leaders navigate regarding book and curricular challenges by parents or community groups, including the conflicts and tensions that come with these emotionally charged situations. Participants will consider how state, school district/charter organization, and school-level policies interact and how school and district leaders can use change strategies to address these challenges.