Critical Race Theory and Critical Whiteness Studies in the Field of Educational Policy: A Review of the Literature

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Intersecting Education Policy and Politics (Table 12)

Abstract

This paper examines the uses of Critical Race Theory, Critical Whiteness Studies and anti-racism in the field of educational policy studies. The paper looks at how these frameworks were or were not addressing white supremacy and anti-racism in the educational policy system, the extent to which research engaged in critique vs. action orientation, and what were the primary methodologies being used with these theoretical frameworks. We reviewed the literature from Web of Science and EBSCO from 2016-2024as well as Google Scholar. Findings include significant use of these theoretical frameworks in the critical policy literature, an emphasis on substantive issues vs. policy system critique, disposition toward methodologies such as Critical Discourse Analysis and an emphasis on critique vs an action orientation.

Authors

• Walter F. Heinecke, University of Virginia

• Sarah Beach, University of Virginia

• Liz D. Nigro, University of Virginia

• Stanley C. Trent, University of Virginia