The Politics of Opting Out in the Age of Neoliberal Cynicism. Issue 3 (18th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wheeler‐Bell, Quentin
• Other Names: Wilson Terri S. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Educational theory. Volume 70:Issue 3(2020:Jun.)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 354
• Publication Date: 2020-08-18
• Subjects: neoliberalism -- equal educational opportunity -- standardized testing -- civil rights activists -- opt‐out activists; Education -- Periodicals; Onderwijs; Theorievorming; Éducation -- Périodiques; 370.105
• DOI: 10.1111/edth.12428
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-2004

Abstract

Abstract: Within the past several years, parents, teachers, students, and community members have vociferously debated the value and importance of opting out of standardized testing. The debate has been sparked by an increasing number of parents, dubbed "opt‐out activists, " who refuse to have their children participate in federally mandated standards testing. However, an assortment of civil rights organizations and activists have challenged the opt‐out movement. Quentin Wheeler‐Bell argues that the debate between those in the opt‐out movement and the civil rights activists is an example of neoliberal cynicism. While both groups acknowledge (to different degrees) the structural problems inherent to the current testing regime, they both also make educational demands that assume equal educational opportunity is achievable within a capitalist system. In making this assumption that equal educational opportunity is valuable within capitalism, Wheeler‐Bell concludes, both sides ultimately reproduce neoliberal cynicism.