Mapping Equity Discourses Within a Principal Pipeline Initiative of Urban School Districts: An Epistemic Network Study

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership Preparation Faculty and Programs: Self-Study and Reflection to Improve Experiences and Opportunities (Table 6)

Abstract

The study aims at mapping equity discourses emerging from theories of action of Huron and Mendota school districts (pseudonyms) within Wallace's Equity-Centered Principal Pipeline Initiative (ECPI). I used Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA), a novel mixed-methods technique of quantitative ethnography (Shaffer, 2017), and Gutierrez’s equity framework (2012) to interrogate their proposal documents submitted for the pipeline. The results show that the dominant narratives revolved around providing access and supporting leadership systems with certain policies; while Huron focused on closing achievement gaps, Mendota emphasized structural changes to end historical racism. This use of ENA reveals the visibility and comparisons of the districts’ equity discourses, supported by qualitative analysis, statistical tests, and epistemic network graphs, as an effort in pursuit of truth.

Authors

• Aziz Awaludin, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author

• Richard R. Halverson, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author