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Spin Cycle: How Research Gets Used in Policy Debates--The Case of Charter Schools
One important aim of social science research is to provide unbiased information that can help guide public policies. However, social science is often construed as politics by other means. Nowhere is the polarized nature of social science research more visible than in the heated debate over charter schools. In Spin Cycle, noted political scientist and education expert Jeffrey Henig explores how controversies over the charter school movement illustrate the use and misuse of research in policy debates. Henig’s compelling narrative reveals that, despite all of the political maneuvering on the public stage, research on school choice has gradually converged on a number of widely accepted findings. This quiet consensus shows how solid research can supersede partisan cleavages and sensationalized media headlines.
In Spin Cycle, Henig draws on extensive interviews with researchers, journalists, and funding agencies on both sides of the debate, as well as data on federal and foundation grants and a close analysis of media coverage, to explore how social science research is “spun” in the public sphere. Henig looks at the consequences of a highly controversial New York Times article that cited evidence of poor test performance among charter school students. The front-page story, based on research findings released by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), sparked an explosive debate over the effectiveness of charter schools. In the ensuing drama, reputable scholars from both ends of the political spectrum launched charges and counter-charges over the research methodology and the implications of the data. Henig uses this political tug-of-war to illustrate broader problems relating to social science: of what relevance is supposedly non-partisan research when findings are wielded as political weapons on both sides of the debate?
In the case of charter schools, Henig shows that despite the political posturing in public forums, many researchers have since revised their stances according to accumulating new evidence and have begun to find common ground. Over time, those who favored charter schools were willing to admit that in many instances charter schools are no better than traditional schools. And many who were initially alarmed by the potentially destructive consequences of school choice admitted that their fears were overblown. The core problem, Henig concludes, has less to do with research itself than with the way it is often sensationalized or misrepresented in public discourse.
Despite considerable frustration over the politicization of research, until now there has been no systematic analysis of the problem. Spin Cycle provides an engaging narrative and instructive guide with far-reaching implications for the way research is presented to the public. Ultimately, Henig argues, we can do a better job of bringing research to bear on the task of social betterment.
In Spin Cycle, Henig draws on extensive interviews with researchers, journalists, and funding agencies on both sides of the debate, as well as data on federal and foundation grants and a close analysis of media coverage, to explore how social science research is “spun” in the public sphere. Henig looks at the consequences of a highly controversial New York Times article that cited evidence of poor test performance among charter school students. The front-page story, based on research findings released by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), sparked an explosive debate over the effectiveness of charter schools. In the ensuing drama, reputable scholars from both ends of the political spectrum launched charges and counter-charges over the research methodology and the implications of the data. Henig uses this political tug-of-war to illustrate broader problems relating to social science: of what relevance is supposedly non-partisan research when findings are wielded as political weapons on both sides of the debate?
In the case of charter schools, Henig shows that despite the political posturing in public forums, many researchers have since revised their stances according to accumulating new evidence and have begun to find common ground. Over time, those who favored charter schools were willing to admit that in many instances charter schools are no better than traditional schools. And many who were initially alarmed by the potentially destructive consequences of school choice admitted that their fears were overblown. The core problem, Henig concludes, has less to do with research itself than with the way it is often sensationalized or misrepresented in public discourse.
Despite considerable frustration over the politicization of research, until now there has been no systematic analysis of the problem. Spin Cycle provides an engaging narrative and instructive guide with far-reaching implications for the way research is presented to the public. Ultimately, Henig argues, we can do a better job of bringing research to bear on the task of social betterment.
- GenresEducation
309 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 17, 2009
A great book for those who have formulated a rigid and/or ideological stance about charter schools. In my opinion, each side of the charter school debate is extremely polarized, Henig attempts to analyze the perceptions and realities of the polarization that keeps policymakers, researchers, and the media so "caught up in the hype" of charter schools. Henig provides an explanation for why the debate has gotten so nasty, some explanations might be suprising. In the end, Henig's analysis leads the reader back to the central problems of many polarzing and political debates: how has the media along with researchers, provide the necessary information to the citizenry and what level and type of information is the citizenry ready to understand and engage in. Simplistic interpretations of data and evidence presented in chewable size dosages to the American public will not suffice in a world and a democracy as complex as the one we live in. Henig attempts to uncover the nuances of policy research in charter schools and effectively does so in this book. Great read for people new to education and policy research.
October 27, 2016
The Spin Cycle describes social science research and how policies and powers have an influence on charter schools. Political powers, influence of Medias, and issues regarding funding on educational research are discussed. Scholars have studied the effects of charter schools, and having solid common grounds regarding the Charter school systems from studies are still controversial. It reminds me of the role of researchers who need to have balanced as well as critical perspectives to see the issues. For instance, the results of studies could be used to improve educational systems by politicians or the publics. According to the research design, the results could be different and interpreted variously. In this way, the book prompts readers to consider the power relations and influences regarding charter school issues in the United States.
December 28, 2008
Reading for a class. Three chapters left, but a really well crafted summary of the political spin inherent in issues of education policy. A necessary read for people interested in the charter schools movement - whether you support or oppose the movement.
October 28, 2008
Henig making his way up my list of researchers over whom I totally geek out. ***geek***
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews