ERIC Number: EJ1175441
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Apr
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0141-1926
EISSN: N/A
Problematising the Use of Education to Address Social Inequity: Could Participatory Action Research Be a Step Forwards?
Giannakaki, Marina-Stefania; McMillan, Ian David; Karamichas, John
British Educational Research Journal, v44 n2 p191-211 Apr 2018
This paper critiques international trends towards certain school practices aimed at promoting equity and social justice by closing gaps in specific learning outcomes among students. It argues that even though some of these practices (e.g. individualised student support, data-driven leadership) improve learning outcomes for certain groups considered 'disadvantaged', they fail to have a genuine impact on the issue. They remain 'locked' in the logic of social mobility, reaffirming the legitimacy of a hierarchical system underpinned by competitive individualism, which unfairly distributes social opportunities under the guise of 'merit' and 'justice'. The paper argues that unless students develop awareness of the subtle injustices legitimised by the current system, no specialised interventions will ever tackle inequity, but will, instead, reinforce it. Yet, attempts to explicitly challenge mainstream school practices are likely to face harsh resistance from system agents due to being so ingrained in school cultures. An alternative strategy is suggested which, without being too subversive, could raise students' awareness--what Freire called 'conscientização'. This would entail the application of participatory action research (PAR), under the cloak of traditional (system-aligned) action research. Such PAR, despite its political character, would initially appear to fulfil the performative role of more technical interventions (e.g. raising test scores), but in such a way that 'conscientização' also happens in the process. This may set the ground for social reform, encouraging the transition to a more sustainable and equitable society based on collectivity and solidarity.
Descriptors: Educational Trends, Educational Practices, Equal Education, Social Justice, Achievement Gap, Disadvantaged, Outcomes of Education, Social Mobility, Power Structure, Competition, Individualism, Educational Change, Resistance to Change, School Culture, Participatory Research, Action Research, Politics of Education, Intervention
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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