A Call to Bring Equity Front and Center: An Analysis of Association for Middle Level Education's 2019 Conference Sessions

• In Event: From Dialogue to Action: Centering Equity and Justice in the Middle Grades

Abstract

The Association for Middle Level Education holds significant influence over what and how information relating to young adolescents is shared with practitioners. AMLE’s annual conferences bring thousands of middle level stakeholders together and influence schools all over the world. Inspired by Brinegar’s (2015) analysis of middle level education publication outlets, we feature a qualitative content analysis of the sessions offered at AMLE’s 2019 annual conference. Analysis revealed that issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be positioned as apart from instructional and content-focused strategies. Results further illuminate a gap between the middle level education research agendas and what is presented at practitioner conferences as well as the work needed in moving towards goals of educational equality and justice.

Authors

• Matthew John Moulton, Indiana State University

• Susan Y. Leonard, University of Georgia