Sonya Douglass is Professor of Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.Janelle T. Scott is Professor and Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Distinguished Chair in Educational Disparities, at the University of California at Berkeley, USA. Gary L. Anderson is Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership at New York University, USA.

‘The Politics of Education Policy in an Era of Inequality provides readers an indispensable and easily accessible view of education leadership and policymaking in today’s world. This comprehensive education policy primer leaves no stone unturned.’Chezare Warren, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, USA‘This is a timely text that is much needed during this era of anti-equity politics of education fueled by an orchestrated conservative backlash. Douglass, Scott and Anderson make a convincing case for a more comprehensive critical policy analysis that takes back equity for true social justice along race, gender, LGBTQI identity issues and social class material conditions’Laurence Parker, University of Utah, USA“Reconsidering the role that educational leaders play in shaping both education policy and political processes, the book explores the challenges and opportunities related to teaching in and leading schools in today’s environment. A marvelous work for those interested in school leadership, educational policy, school reform, or contemporary politics.”S. T. Schroth, Towson University, Choice Review, March 2026

• 1. The Politics of Education in an Era of Inequality 2. Critical Policy Analysis/Praxis: Interrogating Process, Politics, and Power 3. Public Schools or Private Goods? The Politics of Choice, Markets, and Competition 4. Federal and State Education Policy and Reform: National, State or Special Interests 5. School District Governance and Education Leadership: A Shifting Landscape 6. Philanthropy, Donors, and Private Influence over Public Education: The Case of Charter Schools 7. The Future of Teaching and Leading: Metrics, Managerialism and Artificial Intelligence 8. In Pursuit of Democratic Education: Putting the Public Back in Public Schools 9. Building Power: Community Organizing, Student Empowerment, and Public Accountability 10. Reclaiming the Power of Education: Possibilities for Democratic Schooling

Sonya Douglass is Professor of Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.Janelle T. Scott is Professor and Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Distinguished Chair in Educational Disparities, at the University of California at Berkeley, USA. Gary L. Anderson is Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership at New York University, USA.

‘The Politics of Education Policy in an Era of Inequality provides readers an indispensable and easily accessible view of education leadership and policymaking in today’s world. This comprehensive education policy primer leaves no stone unturned.’Chezare Warren, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, USA‘This is a timely text that is much needed during this era of anti-equity politics of education fueled by an orchestrated conservative backlash. Douglass, Scott and Anderson make a convincing case for a more comprehensive critical policy analysis that takes back equity for true social justice along race, gender, LGBTQI identity issues and social class material conditions’Laurence Parker, University of Utah, USA“Reconsidering the role that educational leaders play in shaping both education policy and political processes, the book explores the challenges and opportunities related to teaching in and leading schools in today’s environment. A marvelous work for those interested in school leadership, educational policy, school reform, or contemporary politics.”S. T. Schroth, Towson University, Choice Review, March 2026

• 1. The Politics of Education in an Era of Inequality 2. Critical Policy Analysis/Praxis: Interrogating Process, Politics, and Power 3. Public Schools or Private Goods? The Politics of Choice, Markets, and Competition 4. Federal and State Education Policy and Reform: National, State or Special Interests 5. School District Governance and Education Leadership: A Shifting Landscape 6. Philanthropy, Donors, and Private Influence over Public Education: The Case of Charter Schools 7. The Future of Teaching and Leading: Metrics, Managerialism and Artificial Intelligence 8. In Pursuit of Democratic Education: Putting the Public Back in Public Schools 9. Building Power: Community Organizing, Student Empowerment, and Public Accountability 10. Reclaiming the Power of Education: Possibilities for Democratic Schooling

Sonya Douglass is Professor of Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.Janelle T. Scott is Professor and Robert J. and Mary Catherine Birgeneau Distinguished Chair in Educational Disparities, at the University of California at Berkeley, USA. Gary L. Anderson is Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership at New York University, USA.

‘The Politics of Education Policy in an Era of Inequality provides readers an indispensable and easily accessible view of education leadership and policymaking in today’s world. This comprehensive education policy primer leaves no stone unturned.’Chezare Warren, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, USA‘This is a timely text that is much needed during this era of anti-equity politics of education fueled by an orchestrated conservative backlash. Douglass, Scott and Anderson make a convincing case for a more comprehensive critical policy analysis that takes back equity for true social justice along race, gender, LGBTQI identity issues and social class material conditions’Laurence Parker, University of Utah, USA“Reconsidering the role that educational leaders play in shaping both education policy and political processes, the book explores the challenges and opportunities related to teaching in and leading schools in today’s environment. A marvelous work for those interested in school leadership, educational policy, school reform, or contemporary politics.”S. T. Schroth, Towson University, Choice Review, March 2026

• 1. The Politics of Education in an Era of Inequality 2. Critical Policy Analysis/Praxis: Interrogating Process, Politics, and Power 3. Public Schools or Private Goods? The Politics of Choice, Markets, and Competition 4. Federal and State Education Policy and Reform: National, State or Special Interests 5. School District Governance and Education Leadership: A Shifting Landscape 6. Philanthropy, Donors, and Private Influence over Public Education: The Case of Charter Schools 7. The Future of Teaching and Leading: Metrics, Managerialism and Artificial Intelligence 8. In Pursuit of Democratic Education: Putting the Public Back in Public Schools 9. Building Power: Community Organizing, Student Empowerment, and Public Accountability 10. Reclaiming the Power of Education: Possibilities for Democratic Schooling