Sensemaking of Federal Education Policy: Analyzing Social Media Discourse Around the Every Student Succeeds Act

• In Event: 58.054 - Power and Politics in State and Federal Policy: Polarized Discourse, Shifting Governmental Arrangements, Subversive Messages, and Influential Policy Networks

Abstract

The Every Student Succeeds Act has replaced NCLB as the guiding federal legislation for America’s public schools. The implications of ESSA will depend in large part on how it is implemented. This study examines the social media discourse on Twitter following the passage of ESSA. Using social network analysis, the discussions and interconnections among users discussing ESSA are analyzed. Findings suggest that the early discourse on Twitter appears generally positive. The network is somewhat polarized with users being in discourse with users that share their view of the law. Discussion of policy issues such as teacher preparation and equity were common as were discussions of local implementation and comparisons to NCLB. Implications for the future implementation of ESSA are discussed.

Authors

• Chris Curran, University of Maryland - Baltimore County

• Ann Kellogg, University of Maryland - Baltimore County