A new report from The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal traces the politicization of university schools of education over the course of the past century and finds evidence that it may be too late to reverse the politicization process.
The Politicization of University Schools of Education: The Long March through the Education Schools reveals the extent to which education schools are ideology-driven through a two-pronged approach. The report’s author, Martin Center director of policy analysis Jay Schalin, begins with a historical overview of the first education schools established by early Progressive reformers. Schalin next examines the harmful impact of radical theories, including cultural Marxism, critical pedagogy, and multiculturalism, on schools of education during the twentieth century and up to the present day. Schalin’s history provides compelling evidence that education schools were born of ideology and became more politicized over time.
The second half of the report grounds Schalin’s thesis in empirical evidence. Syllabi were obtained from three distinguished schools of education: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Analysis of the syllabi demonstrates that the nation’s leading education academics are using their positions to advance radical political causes. Schalin concludes that there may be no simple road toward reform, barring heavy intervention from legislators or university trustees.
The politicization in education schools is cause for alarm not only for those involved in higher education governance but society as a whole.
“Schools of education have a reach that extends far beyond their graduates,” said Martin Center president Jenna A. Robinson. “It extends to every elementary school, middle school, and high school in the country. The ideas that are promoted in schools of education make their way to the ears of our youngest learners. Exposing the politicization that goes on in education schools is critical.”
The Politicization of University Schools of Education: The Long March through the Education Schools is available for download for free.