학술논문

Shortchanging Complexity: Discourse, Distortions, and Diversity Policy in the Age of Neoliberalism
Document Type
Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Source
Education Policy Analysis Archives. Jul 2019 27(84).
Subject
Neoliberalism
Cultural Pluralism
Political Attitudes
Educational Trends
Educational Policy
Student Diversity
Policy Formation
Government Publications
Definitions
State Policy
Federal Legislation
Disadvantaged
Minority Group Teachers
Teacher Recruitment
Databases
Elementary Secondary Education
Economic Factors
Diversity
Language
English
ISSN
1068-2341
Abstract
With this paper we explore the practical materialization of select diversity policies in the United States via an analysis of their implementation at different institutional levels. Specifically, using a cultural studies framework that is guided by Stuart Hall's (1993) concept of distortions, we investigate how discursive conceptualizations of diversity have been translated into educational policy at the federal and state levels. We contend that the complexity of diversity is often inconsistent with existing neoliberal reform trends that embrace standardization and accountability, making meaningful practical applications exponentially more challenging (Manna, 2011; Wong, 2008). Finally, we look to how these analyses might inform future iterations of diversity policy in a time where rapid changes in education policy and characteristically partisan political agendas have become the norm.