"We Have to Try": Politicization and the Construction of Culturally Responsive Teaching Standards

• In Event: Responding to the Call: Culturally Responsive Teaching in Pursuit of Justice and Radical Care

Abstract

This presentation provides the results of an analysis of the development of teacher education policy texts. Eleven committee members were interviewed about their perceptions and experiences during their construction of new teacher education standards targeting culturally responsive teaching. Analysis of interview data found that the committee members were hopeful about the potential for the standards to facilitate culturally responsive reform of teacher education in the state. However, these feelings were tempered by concerns about the impact of politicized public discourses about race in education and the nature of top-down policy compliance. Growing political polarization and the politicization of race, identity, and culture in education resulted in the careful selection of terms or language and a narrowed target population for rollout.

Author

• Meghan A. Kessler, Illinois State University
  Presenting Author