The dark mirror of capital: on post-neoliberal formations and the future of education

ABSTRACT

This paper examines how transformations in political economy and digital technology point toward potential post-neoliberal futures. Outlining the contours of a crisis of neoliberal hegemony, the authors explore how technological developments have contributed to political economic dynamics of market failure and oligarchic capture, resulting in new forms of digital precarity. As evidence, the paper examines a specific post-neoliberal discourse called neoreactionism (NRx), which has developed out of the distinct culture of Silicon Valley. NRx represents a specific vision for resolving conflicts inherent to neoliberalism by intensifying oligarchic capture and the acceleration of technology. While NRx is a techno-authoritarian discourse that exists largely outside of mainstream academic discussions, it is indicative of how transformations in late capitalism are fueling the rise of anti-democratic consciousness and identification. In response, the authors conclude with suggestions for developing post-neoliberal approaches to educational studies that are able to challenge these troubling reactionary trends.     

Further Study of the Choice of Anchor Tests in Equating

In this study, we describe what factors influence the observed score correlation between an (external) anchor test and a total test. We show that the anchor to full‐test observed score correlation is based on two components: the true score correlation between the anchor and total test, and the reliability of the anchor test. Findings using an analytical approach suggest that making an anchor test a miditest does not generally maximize the anchor to total test correlation. Results are discussed in the context of what conditions maximize the correlations between the anchor and total test.     

Micro vs Macro Planning: achieving a balance

This study is an analysis of the process used to develop program and unit evaluation models for the College of Education at Florida International University. The resulting models clearly meet the needs as identified by an internal assessment done for accreditation preparation. The process led to a practical approach for assessment that answers the overriding vital question all organizations face of “How are we doing?”, thus providing a useful strategy for other institutions to employ. A secondary result of the analysis and development phase was the realization by the faculty consultants that achieving a balance of micro and macro planning is a necessary component in designing purposeful evaluations. Portions of the total program could be situationally analyzed through the resulting Micro/Macro Dynamic Grid developed to guide decision making.     

Orientation Effects in the Development of Linear Object Tracking in Early Infancy

Infants' oculomotor tracking develops rapidly but is poorer when there are horizontal and vertical movement components. Additionally, persistence of objects moving through occlusion emerges at 4 months but initially is absent for objects moving obliquely. In two experiments, we recorded eye movements of thirty-two 4-month-old and thirty-two 6-month-old infants (mainly Caucasian-White) tracking horizontal, vertical, and oblique trajectories. Infants tracked oblique trajectories less accurately, but 6-month olds tracked more accurately such that they tracked oblique trajectories as accurately as 4-month olds tracked horizontal and vertical trajectories. Similar results emerged when the object was temporarily occluded. Thus, 4-month olds’ tracking of oblique trajectories may be insufficient to support object persistence, whereas 6-month olds may track sufficiently accurately to perceive object persistence for all trajectory orientations.     

Thinking with Posthuman Perspectives in Self-Study Research

In this study, we set out to explore processes of individual and group becomings of a self-study collective over time and distance, and with/through technology. Born out of a self-study project in one of our early doctoral courses, our self-study community has evolved over several years to one that is hybrid in nature. As we have continued our collaboration through online media, a tension arose at the juncture of our fundamentally relational work together, our need for the physical, embodied aspect of learning and self-study and the hybrid, often disembodied, experience provided by substituting online meetings for those conducted in-person. In this article we explore these tensions through pivotal moments and lines of flight in our self-study work over the past year. To frame these moments, we draw on ideas from posthumanism, which offers ways to conceptualize our collective as a multiplicity, account for the relational and material aspects of our work, address the agency of non-human actors (such as technology) in our collaboration, and consider our self-study practice a dynamic, complex, contextualized, situated phenomenon.     

Longitudinal algebra prediction for early versus later takers

Algebra I is a crucial course for middle and high school students for successful STEM-related coursework. A key issue is whether students should take Algebra I in Grade 8 versus Grade 9. Large-scale policy studies show conflicting results, and there are few (particularly longitudinal) individual difference studies. In the study, 53 students were assessed in Grade 6 on cognitive, numerosity, and mathematical skills, and then followed; 26 students took Algebra I in Grade 8, and the other 27 in Grade 9. Comparisons between groups at Grade 6 revealed gaps in some (but not all) cognitive skills and on mathematical competencies, but not on numerosity. By Algebra I, gaps in cognitive skills diminished, but gaps in mathematical skills remained constant. Gaps in algebra skills were also apparent, despite the age difference between groups. Results suggest that the additional year of instruction was not optimally tuned to pave the way for strong Algebra I performance.     

‘Universal’ early education: Who benefits? Patterns in take‐up of the entitlement to free early education among three‐year‐olds in England

For over a decade, all three‐year‐olds in England have been entitled to a free part‐time early education place. One aim of this policy is to close developmental gaps between higher‐income and low‐income children. However, the success of the initiative depends on children accessing the places. Using the National Pupil Database, we examine all autumn‐born four‐year‐olds attending in January 2011, and ask whether they started attending when first eligible, in January 2010. One in five children did not access their free place from the beginning, and the proportion is much higher among children from families with persistently low incomes. We also find differences by ethnicity and home language, but these factors explain only a small share of the income gradient. We go on to explore associations between non‐take‐up and local area factors. In areas with higher child poverty rates, take‐up is lower overall, but the gap between low‐income and other families is smaller. There are also various associations between take‐up and local proportions of different provider types (maintained, private, voluntary, Sure Start). In particular, the voluntary sector seems to have more flexibility than maintained provision to offer places in January, and more success than private providers in reaching children from lower‐income backgrounds. The analysis also highlights how take‐up overall is relatively high and the gap by income level is smaller in areas with more Sure Start provision. This suggests that aspects of Sure Start facilitated access among low‐income families, and could perhaps be replicated as implementation of the free entitlement continues to be expanded.     

Teaching School Counselors and School Psychologists to Work Collaboratively

Counselor education programs have the responsibility to prepare school counseling graduates adequately for effective partnerships, consultation, and collaboration with other school professionals. Current practices as well as theory should inform preparation. This study was conducted to determine current collaborative efforts of practicing school counselors and school psychologists in 1 southeastern state. Implications for educators and 1 training model that distinctly accentuates collaboration are presented.