Leveraging Media to Guide Local Leadership on Transportation Equity and School Access Solutions

• In Event: Research in Progress Roundtable Session 2
  In Invited Roundtable: Equity in Teaching and Leadership Practices Across Educational Contexts (Table 7)

Abstract

This research examines the role of media in informing local leadership about transportation equity and its impact on school access. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in Agenda-Setting Theory, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and Quantitative Critical (QuantCrit) methodologies, the study explores how media narratives frame transportation-related educational barriers and influence civic engagement and policy advocacy. By analyzing media content, statistical claims, and community perceptions, the research identifies patterns in how media shapes public understanding and leadership actions. Preliminary findings suggest media often uses surface-level statistics that obscure systemic inequities, while community-driven narratives highlight actionable solutions. This study contributes to scholarship on media, equity, and education by offering recommendations to leverage journalism as a tool for informed and equitable local leadership.

Author

• Krystal Lindsey, American University