“They have a lot more freedom than they know”: science education as a space for radical openness

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2021
Authors
Williams J
Tolbert, Sara
Abstract

While much research has examined the impact that neoliberal reforms have had on education, very little research has examined science teachers/teaching in particular. In this article, we share findings from a longitudinal study with 9 public school science teachers in Arizona, USA. We argue that neoliberal reforms have positioned science classrooms and science teachers as high potential sites of/for resistance to neoliberalism. We identify two factors as particularly influential in shaping the way in which science teachers resist neoliberal reforms: (1) the marginalization of science within the structure of school and teacher assessments; and (2) widespread (science) teacher shortages.

Description
Citation
Williams J, Tolbert S (2021). “They have a lot more freedom than they know”: science education as a space for radical openness. Cultural Studies of Science Education. 16(1). 71-84.
Keywords
neoliberalism, resistance, science education, teacher inquiry, social justice
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
1303 Specialist Studies in Education
Field of Research::13 - Education::1303 - Specialist Studies in Education::130304 - Educational Administration, Management and Leadership
Field of Research::13 - Education::1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy::130212 - Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated