THE LEGACY OF DISCONNECTION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC-SCHOOLS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES - SUGGESTIONS FOR POLICY

A renewed call from national and state governments to strengthen conne ctions between public schools and their communities invites people out side of the school system to play an active role in decision-making pr ocesses. Despite recent efforts to connect public schools and their co mmunities, the two parties remain disconnected. Given this disconnecti on it is instructive to ask what practices, past and present, have sup ported or perpetuated it. The intent of this article is to reflect on the historical literature relevant to the development of public educat ion from the 19th century to the present for the purpose of illuminati ng the roots of this persistent disconnection. In examining the fractu ring of the economic, religious, and political connections-all of whic h have nearly dissolved-the article suggests that the historical devel opment of disconnection must be addressed if future reform efforts are to build bridges.