The Discourse of Student Achievement: Heroes and Villains in Media Coverage of Education, 2011-2013

• In Event: The Role of Media in Educational Reform Discourses

Abstract

This paper considers the use of education research within public discourse on student achievement, as conveyed in US media sources during the 112th Congress. Based on a content analysis of 3,330 articles, we find that research is used in less than half of the most relevant stories on student achievement and school performance. We also find that ‘student achievement’ is most often used as a euphemism for students’ standardized test scores. Political and ideological dimensions of the media narratives and their implications for policy are discussed. This work considers the power of education research as it is presented in the media in ways that both undermine and support its use for innovation in practice and policy.

Authors

• Amanda I. Frye Leinhos, Stanford University

• Cristina Leah Lash, Stanford University

• Madlene P. Hamilton, Stanford University

• Prudence L. Carter, Stanford University