Constructing Compliance in Tennessee Education Policies: Teacher Educators' Boundary-Crossing in Pursuit of Equity

• In Event: Design and Implementation of Current Education Policies

Abstract

Tennessee schools are currently being inundated with a barrage of state legislation related to curriculum and education policy. In this paper, we view this de-professionalization movement through the lens of tightly coupled systems in which schools are dominated by actors swayed by paradigms and ideational factors that promote surveillance and audit culture. The study employed document analysis and theoretical thematic analysis to analyze 28 Tennessee House and Senate Education bills created and passed in the 2021-2022 school year. Results demonstrated the normalization of control of classroom materials and curricula and surveillance and managing of lawbreaking. These findings demonstrate a tightening of autonomy while at the same time promoting an educational agenda that excludes and marginalizes certain students and communities.

Authors

• Renee Moran, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Natalia A. Ward, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Karin J. Keith, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Lori T. Meier, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Huili Hong, Vanderbilt University
  Presenting Author

• Amber N. Warren, Vanderbilt University
  Presenting Author