The End of Community Control

Following the Teachers’ Strikes, the New York State Decentralization Law of 1969 was passed. Creating 31 new “community school districts” with elected boards, the law—despite its name—did not empower local communities. Instead, it recentralized authority by subordinating these districts under the control of the Central Board of Education. The authority previously held by the community boards was transferred to a system of decentralized local school board appointees and elected officials. The Teachers Strike played a major factor in the Legislature's decision to abolish the three demonstration districts.

Decentralized community school districts wielded much less power than the Community Control districts, which was far from the educational self determination that marginalized communities had been seeking. The United Bronx Parents, an organization supporting Puerto Rican mothers in advocating for better education for their children, strongly opposed the decentralization law. In a document opposing the law, they argued that Community Control, local control, was a far better option for their children. Decentralization limited local community members’ power over curriculum, staff employment, and school budgets. Decentralization granted the central board substantial control over all aspects of school instruction, reducing local input and authority. The law was largely influenced by Albert Shanker, who sought to move away from the “radicalism” of the three demonstration districts. Community members in Two Bridges also spoke out against the law.