"The State Pulled a Fast One on Us": A Critical Policy Analysis of State-Level Policies Affecting English Learners From District-Level Perspectives. Issue 1 (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sampson, Carrie
• Other Names: Diem Sarah guest-editor.; Young Michelle D. guest-editor.; Sampson Carrie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Educational policy. Volume 33:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: educational equity -- critical policy analysis -- case study -- English learners -- school district leadership -- state policy; Education and state -- United States -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; 379.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0895904818807324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9048

Abstract

States' increasing involvement in educational policy making can play a significant role in how school districts provide equitable educational opportunities. Guided by critical policy analysis, the purpose of this article is to examine state-level policy pertaining to English learners (ELs) from district-level perspectives. Based on interview and archival data from a multiple case study of three metropolitan school districts in different states, district-level perspectives illustrate how these state-level policies were symbolic, restrictive, or exclusionary toward ELs. The results also demonstrate ways that districts advocated, engaged, resisted, and navigated state-level policies and politics. Based on these findings, I argue that state-level policies and related politics can compromise school districts' ability to provide ELs with adequate educational opportunities.