Political Polarization and Partisanship: How Social Studies Can Help Remedy Societal Divisions

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

This panel focuses on research on emerging strategies and educational programs that attempt to address the effects of the current partisanship and polarization in the US that have characterized electoral politics and shaped battles over teaching and learning in P-16 educational settings. This panel is comprised of philosophers of education, political scientists, curriculum experts, and educational leadership scholars. Together, we examine the impact of polarization beyond the lens of political views on in and out groups to consider how polarization impacts schools, teachers, and students and may differ by region, demographic group, or urbanicity. The six panelists are involved in developing, implementing, or studying programs to address the effects of polarization and will discuss their projects’ theoretical grounding, design, and how they measure their impact.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Jeremy D. Stoddard, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Participants

• Gregory E. McAvoy, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Brett L. M. Levy, University at Albany - SUNY

• Kiki Leis, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Agata Soroko, University of California - Riverside

• Abigail Dym, Providence College

Discussant

• Joseph E. Kahne, University of California - Riverside

Panelists

• LaGarrett J. King, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Rebecca Cooper Geller, University of Georgia

• Paula McAvoy, North Carolina State University

• Jane C. Lo, Michigan State University

• Jonathan E. Collins, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Alina Lewis, University at Albany - SUNY