Article
Perpetuating Inequalities: The Role of Political Distraction in Education Policy
Educational Policy
(2021)
Abstract
The 2021 Politics of Education Yearbook brings together scholars from diverse theoretical orientations—including policy studies, critical trans politics, and Critical Race Theory—to explore the politics of distraction within education policymaking. This introductory article previews the work included in the Yearbook and presents a grounding framework for policy distraction, which we define as a persistent focus on a narrowly defined set of policy solutions that diverts attention from root causes, structural forces, and historical/contextual circumstances (Bell, 2003; Giroux, 2013, 2017; Spade, 2011, 2013, 2015). We articulate five elements of policy distraction. They (a) rely on narrow policy frames to address educational problems of practice; (b) name phenomena in ways that affect our understanding; and (c) largely ignore inequalities and structural conditions. In doing so, they may (d) reinforce the status quo; and (e) reify ideas of what counts as normal or, alternatively, as deviant (Spade, 2011).
Publication Date
March, 2021
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904820987992
Citation Information
Amy N. Farley, Bethy Leonardi and Jamel K. Donnor. "Perpetuating Inequalities: The Role of Political Distraction in Education Policy" Educational Policy Vol. 35 Iss. 2 (2021) p. 163 - 179 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jamel-donnor/41/