Is Emancipatory Action Research in Schools Possible? Continuing the Conversation

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium takes up the issue of whether emancipatory forms of action research are possible given the top-down nature of current high stakes accountability reforms and the “audit culture” and punitive and zero tolerance atmosphere they have spawned. Some action researchers have also argued that few examples of emancipatory action research exist, and that most action research falls under the technical or practical categories developed by Haberamas. The papers in the symposium will take a close look at action research projects they have been involved in to retheorize the nature of emancipatory action research. They will challenge naïve notions of “experience” and “reflection” and discuss how action research projects can start out focusing on the technical and end up emancipatory.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Action Research

Chair

• Gary L. Anderson, New York University

Papers

• Taking Action Research to New Levels - Gary L. Anderson, New York University

• Poststructural Perspectives on Teacher-Researchers’ “Experiences” in Neoliberal Times - Janet L. Miller, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Developing Critical Consciousness Toward Collective Action - Kathryn G. Herr, Montclair State University

• Learning Cycles: A Community-Based Approach to Emancipatory Action Research - Fernando Naiditch, Montclair State University