Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Transformative Education and Social Change

Committee Chairperson

John Elmore, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jason Wozniak, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Dana Morrison, Ph.D.

Abstract

True education must stem from curiosity, strengthening the initial impulse into a more robust and methodological approach, but schooling in the United States stunts curiosity. As social institutions, schools are shaped by the economic system of the society in which they exist in such a way as to reinforce the economic system. In a capitalist society, schools reinforce capitalism by conditioning students to transition seamlessly into adult life as workers. Neoliberal ideology and policies have strengthened the influence of capitalism within schools by shaping pedagogical choices and material conditions. These issues are systemic and must be addressed as such. Organizations such as the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) and Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) have used prefigurative politics and teacher union power to address systemic issues with success.

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