Let's Face It, the Racial Politics Are Always There: A Critical Race Approach to Policy Implementation in the Wake of Anti–Critical Race Theory Rhetoric

• In Event: From Critical Race Theory to Innovation Schools: Critical Policy Analyses at Multiple Levels of Governance

Abstract

U.S. schools are experiencing increasing calls to remove the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) from curricula despite not doing so in practice. This anti-CRT push is part of a larger, conservative agenda to ban teaching “divisive” topics and exemplifies the racial politics in educational policy implementation. In our paper, we analyze the legal efforts to ban CRT and anti-racist teaching in one state through a framework that situates policy implementation within CRT. Our qualitative document analysis illustrates how predictable patterns like white backlash, overt racism, racial violence, and racial trauma are brought to light. Finally, policymakers and school leaders can use our conceptual framework as a tool to question how their practices are impacted by racism in policy.

Authors

• Anjalé D. Welton, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author

• Sarah D. Lent, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author

• Sarah Diem, University of Missouri
  Presenting Author