Critical Race Theory as Policy as Curriculum?

• In Event: Sign of the Times: Public Education in an Era for Racial Justice

Abstract

Conversation around the critical study of race—Critical Race Theory—has shifted outside of academia, circulated through social media, and entered into public policy text. The Black Lives Matter movement (see https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/), while protesting the policing of people of color, also calls for a greater responsiveness in the curriculum materials, resources, and representations of BIPOC peoples in the schools. CRT since has become subject to contentious debate at school board meetings. While explicitly about curriculum, implicitly it is something else; a generative space for policy study. Deeply contextual, CRT as a “frame” (Lakoff, 2004/2014) provides a compelling example of policy as curriculum. Contemporary curriculum theorizing should include social, cultural, historical, and political influences of policy in schools daily.

Author

• Todd Alan Price, National-Louis University