Reclaiming Education: Youth Counternarratives in the Neoliberal Reform Era

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

This session contributes toward education policy research by privileging student perspectives on urban school reform. As the neoliberal agenda continues to refashion education around the world ostensibly to meet the needs of an increasingly complex political and global economy, scholars have devoted necessary attention to the effects of educational reform strategies (e.g. Darling-Hammond, 2010; Apple, 2006; Lipman, 2004). While important debates on policy reforms continue, educational research must privilege students’ perspectives, particularly as they challenge policies and pave new ways to improve their educational experiences (Silva & Rubin, 2003). The papers in this session represent research efforts in New Zealand, Los Angeles County, Northern California, Philadelphia, and New Orleans that center the voices and experiences of youth.

Sub Unit

• Division B - Curriculum Studies / Section 1: Critical Perspectives and Practices

Chair

• OiYan A. Poon, Loyola University Chicago

Papers

• Building Urban Scholars: The Black Male Youth Academy - D'Artagnan Scorza, University of California - Los Angeles

• Charter School “Miracle”? Youth Participatory Action Research and Education Reform in Post-Katrina New Orleans - Jacob Cohen, Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association; OiYan A. Poon, Loyola University Chicago

• Navigating a Violent Production: Students, Race, Violence, and School Discipline - Connie Wun, University of California - Berkeley

• Te Ara Tino Rangatiratanga: Our Pathway to Self-Determination - Ann Milne, Kia Aroha College

Discussants

• K. Wayne Yang, University of California - San Diego

• Eve Tuck, SUNY - College at New Paltz