A Case Study in Private Education: Interrogating How a Private School Enables or Disrupts Race, Gender, and Class-Based Discrimination

• In Event: Disrupting Race: Disrupting Race to Establish New Norms

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative case study examining two research questions: (1) What are the interpersonal and institutional patterns of discrimination in this private, independent school setting? And, (2) how did the school enable or disrupt interpersonal or institutional experiences of discrimination in the school community? Using focus group data from a private school, this analysis grounds its findings in Critical Race Theory. The analysis reveals that stakeholders are most likely to identify interpersonal discrimination but will also highlight institutional patterns of discrimination as well. Additionally, the school will engage in meaningful equity work but only to the extent that equity work supports three priorities: the school’s image, traditions & customs, and white feelings.

Authors

• Olivia Marcucci, Johns Hopkins University

• Kelly Harris, Washington University in St. Louis, School of medicine