Class Action Lawsuits and Community Empowerment

Abstract

This article describes the results of a qualitative study exploring community members' perceptions of the effects of a class action lawsuit challenging inequitable funding for adequate education initiated by a small city in New Hampshire. The extent to which the community was empowered as a result of the lawsuit and the effects on the community in general, were explored. Although respondents had mixed views about the effects of the lawsuit on the community, actions that the community had taken and responses within various groups indicate degrees of community empowerment. Respondents also articulated suggestions for use of class action lawsuits. An analysis of community members' perceptions in the aftermath of a class action lawsuit points to implications for social work practitioners involved in community work and legal actions on behalf of social justice.

Key Words:

• Community empowerment
• class action lawsuits
• social justice
• educational funding inequities