Date of Award

6-2017

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

College of Education, Doctoral Program

First Advisor

Mindes, Gayle

Second Advisor

Kuzmic, Jeffrey

Third Advisor

Garner, Roberta

Abstract

This study examined the discursive framing of school closings as promoted by both the Educational Facilities Master Plan published by Chicago Public Schools in 2013 and the discourse of newspaper articles in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, and Catalyst Chicago. A critical discourse analysis approach as both theory and method allowed for better understanding of the political nature of social goods and uncovered relations of authority and power in the use of language in these texts. This study revealed the complicated nature of the interplay of neoliberalism, education policy, and the media in the form of newspapers; therefore, it is useful in promoting critical policy research, and opening the door for educational reform conversations. Findings supported that neoliberal hegemonic ideology is present in the language of the Educational Facilities Master Plan and newspaper articles. However, this study’s findings also revealed the important role media has in providing the ability to resist, contest, and challenge neoliberal ideology in a democratic society.

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