No Accountability for Accountability: Literacy for Sale

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Unpacking the Implementation, Impact, and Policymaking Processes of Literacy Policy (Table 10)

Abstract

Since 2017, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has allocated significant federal funding to states for improving literacy through Comprehensive Literacy Plans (CLPs). Despite Louisiana receiving over $86 million in six years for literacy initiatives, there is a notable lack of oversight and alignment between federal guidelines and state implementation. This study applies Critical Policy Analysis (CPA) to evaluate the congruence of Louisiana's CLPs with federal expectations, focusing on four domains: needs assessment, data desegregation, high-quality instruction, and dyslexia. Preliminary findings reveal misalignment in addressing specific needs of disadvantaged students, inadequate data desegregation, and a narrow focus on reading at the expense of integrated literacy instruction. The study concludes with suggestions for leaders.

Authors

• Heather L. Dunham-Roth, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Jin Lee, University of Louisiana at Lafayette