The Impact of Partisanship on Student Performance in Politically Divided States

Abstract

The growing politicization of school board governance has had a significant impact on student academic performance, classroom stability, and teacher retention in different ways across various states with different political leanings. While some states maintain nonpartisan education policies, others have seen frequent shifts in curriculum standards, funding priorities, and regulations due to ideological debates. This study employed a comparative, cross-state analysis to explore student performance across politically divided school districts, focusing on standardized test scores, graduation rates, teacher retention, and curriculum implementation in Florida, Texas, Virginia, California, and New York. These states represent different governance structures, with varying approaches to curriculum restrictions, diversity policies, and education funding. The findings indicate that states with stable, bipartisan education policies see better student outcomes, while those experiencing frequent partisan conflicts suffer from academic disruptions and increased teacher attrition. The study also includes data visualizations and policy recommendations to mitigate the negative effects of political interference in school governance.