The Influence of Educational Philanthropy on the Hidden Curriculum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Rethinking Philanthropy in Education: Hidden Curricula, Advancement Strategies, and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)–Driven Organizational Change (Table 7)

Abstract

The concept of hidden curriculum has been widely recognized as the implicit, often unspoken, educational, cultural, and social norms that students learn through school routines, culture, and social interactions, beyond the formal curriculum. As part of the broader and evolving philanthropic landscape in education, private contributions to school-supporting nonprofits play a crucial role in shaping educational opportunities and outcomes by targeting funds for specific school activities and fostering innovative educational programs. This paper integrates literatures on hidden curriculum and private contributions to school-supporting nonprofits to examine how private philanthropic efforts impact the hidden curriculum. The study aims to deepen understanding of how educational philanthropy influences implicit educational experiences and expand research on the intersections between these fields.

Authors

• Shuning Liu, Ball State University

• Sara D. Bender, Ball State University