A Discourse Network Analysis of 2020 Presidential Candidates' Education Policy

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Education Policy Making Ranging From Cities, States, and Presidents

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a discourse network analysis of 2020 presidential candidates’ education policy proposals. Given the far-reaching influence of presidential election on education policy, this study applies discourses network analysis—an emerging, alternative analytical approach built on content analysis and network analysis—to uncover education policy coalitions of the 2020 presidential candidates. The preliminary results suggest the proposed policies that forged Democratic education policy coalitions are gun control for school safety, universal pre-K, tuition-free or debt-free colleges, and lowering the federal student-loan refinancing rate. The findings provide timely insights into education policies over the 2020 presidential campaign.

Author

• Yinying Wang, Georgia State University