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Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
8-4-2026
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Educational Policy Studies and Eval
Faculty
Zitsi Mirakhur
Faculty
Eric Weber
Abstract
School boards have long been regarded as a cornerstone of American democracy, providing local governance over public education. While considerable scholarship highlights the increasing involvement of state and federal governments in education, relatively few studies examine with specificity how legislatures shape the local authority of these governance structures. This study investigates how the Kentucky State Legislature has influenced the authority of local school boards over three legislative sessions (2020–2022) and how board members perceive their evolving role. Using a multi-method approach and conceptualized in principal-agent theory, this research contributes to understanding how legislatures shape the governing responsibilities of school boards and how board members make sense of this relationship and mandates imposed by the state.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.397
Archival?
Archival
Recommended Citation
Edelen, Hannah M., "CONTRACTUAL DEMOCRACY FROM STATEHOUSE TO SCHOOL BOARD: SHIFTS IN LEGISLATION AND SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORITY IN KENTUCKY" (2026). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 874.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/874
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American Politics Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Education Law Commons, Other Education Commons, Other Political Science Commons
