Advocacy vs. activism: How superintendents foster sustainable change
School district governance exists at the intersection of activism and advocacy. Both have their place in shaping educational progress but understanding their distinct functions is essential for school leaders—particularly superintendents who work closely with school board members.
Activism raises awareness and sparks movement, while advocacy ensures that energy is channeled into meaningful, lasting change. Superintendents must skillfully engage these concepts and help board members do the same, balancing passion with diplomacy for the benefit of students, educators and communities.
Activism as the spark
Activism is the driving force that propels issues to the forefront of public awareness. It ignites urgency, draws attention to systemic problems and rallies communities to demand progress.
Whether through protests, campaigns,or social media movements, activism amplifies voices that otherwise might go unheard. When it comes to public education, activists play a crucial role in spotlighting inequities, pushing for policy reforms and galvanizing grassroots support.
However, activism alone cannot sustain the momentum needed to create systemic solutions. Without formal structures, activism’s passionate calls for change may fizzle once the moment of public intensity fades.
Advocacy as the structure
Advocacy is how passion for change is systematically translated into practical steps, policies and programs. It is the measured, data-informed approach that connects big-picture ideals with the often complex realities of governing a school district.
For school board trustees, advocacy is not a single action. It is woven into policy, finance, safety and community engagement. Advocacy turns activism’s energy into feasible strategies.
Yet advocacy is not solely the board’s responsibility. Superintendents play a pivotal role in shaping effective advocacy. They guide the board’s agenda, present data to illuminate critical issues and collaborate with trustees to align policy proposals with district goals.
In many ways, the superintendent serves as a bridge between the passion of the public and the board’s governance responsibilities—ensuring that advocacy remains focused, inclusive and grounded in the district’s mission.
Balancing advocacy and activism
Superintendents occupy a unique position. They are tasked with managing day-to-day operations, setting a vision for district growth and advising the school board in complex decision-making processes.
This vantage point allows superintendents to see how activism can both inspire and sometimes divide, and how advocacy can cement long-term progress if nurtured carefully.
- Facilitating productive dialogue: Superintendents can foster spaces where activists, board members and the broader community exchange ideas openly. By organizing forums, listening tours and workshops, superintendents encourage respectful discourse. They model how to transform passionate calls for change into constructive proposals that board members can evaluate and shape into policy.
- Elevating data-informed perspectives: Amid the fervor of activism, superintendents ensure that decisions remain grounded in data. When policy ideas arise—whether from local advocacy groups or national movements—they can guide trustees by providing context, research and evidence-based strategies. This approach helps maintain clarity and keeps activism from devolving into polarized debate.
- Maintaining focus on the mission: In times of heated activism, superintendents remind everyone that the district’s primary goal is student success. They help the board filter initiatives through the lens of equitable academic outcomes, community welfare and fiscal responsibility. This safeguards the district against changes that might be reactionary rather than reflective of its long-term educational mission.
- Fostering board development: Superintendents also serve as mentors to board members who may be new to the nuances of governance. This includes coaching them on how to stay open to community activism while ensuring that advocacy efforts remain civil and outcome-driven. Effective board development sessions can highlight the difference between activism’s call for immediate action and advocacy’s long-term planning.
Unchecked activism leads to division
When activism overshadows advocacy, it can lead to tribalism—a dangerous “us vs. them” mindset. School boards then risk becoming ideological battlegrounds rather than collaborative governance bodies.
This climate reduces complex educational issues to binary choices, limiting the possibility for nuanced solutions. Students and families lose out when debate becomes more about winning arguments than about creating effective policy.
Superintendents can help avert this divisiveness by consistently promoting dialogue and modeling an advocacy-first mindset. By inviting board members to engage with stakeholders, explore multiple perspectives and prioritize district needs over political camps, superintendents ensure that collaboration remains at the forefront.
How to move away from tribalism
- Listen to understand: True advocacy begins with genuine listening. Instead of preparing rebuttals, board members and district leaders should approach discussions with curiosity. Superintendents can set this tone by encouraging empathy and seeking collaborative solutions.
- Reject binary approaches: Education policy rarely fits neatly into “right or wrong” categories. Superintendents can push for multifaceted solutions that address the realities of public schools. By helping the board see the full spectrum of considerations (budget constraints, community values and legislative implications) they keep the conversation constructive.
- Engage in civil discourse: Civility is essential for progress. Superintendents can set clear expectations for respectful dialogue, reminding everyone that even in disagreement, the shared goal is quality education for every student.
- Work with, not against: Progress requires collaboration. Superintendents can build relationships with stakeholder groups, community members and fellow administrators, turning what could be contentious debates into collaborative problem-solving sessions.
- Keep students at the center: Ultimately, every policy decision should be about improving outcomes for students. By weaving that reminder into every conversation, superintendents ensure that personal or political conflicts take a back seat to what truly matters—serving the next generation.
Advocacy as the heartbeat of governance
Activism energizes public discourse and calls attention to systemic needs but advocacy channels that energy into sustainable progress. For superintendents, the mission is clear: promote constructive engagement among board members, ensure data informs every step and remain steadfast in serving the district’s diverse community.
By championing advocacy, superintendents help their boards navigate the fine line between igniting passion and preserving diplomacy—ensuring that changes in policy, finance, safety and equity genuinely benefit the students who depend on public education.
When handled thoughtfully, advocacy fortifies the promise of education as the great equalizer. By partnering with activists, guiding school boards and steering the conversation away from polarizing tribalism, superintendents keep the focus on what matters most: the success and well-being of every child who walks through our school doors.
