PDC10: Using Critical Race Theory in Secondary and Higher Education Research

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

This course will provide graduate students and early career and experienced scholars with information and skills to use critical race theory (CRT) in education research. This course is designed to be interactive and will consist of activities, group dialogue, video, and independent exercises to facilitate one’ s understanding of the course content. In Part 1, participants will be trained on the origins of CRT and its tenets, concepts, and key scholars. In Part 2, instructors will illustrate how CRT can be used in framing education research. Three illustrative cases of how researchers have previously used CRT to study educational issues across the pipeline will be highlighted for participants. In Part 3, we will review pressing educational issues, discussing how CRT might be employed as an organizing framework or analytic tool. Using public data from the Education Longitudinal Study, instructors will lead participants through a detailed activity illustrating the utility of CRT in interpreting ordinary quantitative findings about race; that is, how to complicate and contextualize findings using tenets of CRT. Finally, Part 4 will consist of two foci: (a) a review of the main “take-aways” from the course; and (b) an open house exercise where participants will apply specific research questions about the integration of CRT in their own work. Participants will benefit from having a basic understanding of theory, educational research methods, and an interest in race and student success. No prerequisite skills or knowledge are required for participation in this course.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• Royel M. Johnson, The Ohio State University - Columbus

• Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, The Ohio State University