They examine data to determine whether or not their summer school program is boosting results. And they help the community recognize that higher student achievement isn't a new program that you spend the last dollar on if you can find one more. You spend the first dollar on it, and in fact, the whole budget. So when some people read the test questions and say they are too hard, explain why they're not. Point to the growing capacity in our public schools.
School boards do that, and when they do, their voices carry.