CRITICAL

THEORY IN
EDUCATION
RALPH LAWRENCE C. CUI
Critical Theory in Education

-a way of looking at education that emphasizes

power, inequality, and social justice
Questions the status quo

-it challenges traditional ideas about education and how

knowledge is produced.
Power and Inequality

A core aspect is examining how power operates within the

education system and society as a whole.
Social justice

It aims to empower students to become agents of social

change
Analogy

Imagine education as a landscape. Traditional education

might just show you the pretty flowers and scenery. Critical
theory would encourage you to look beneath the surface and
consider things like soil quality, who owns the land, and
how the landscape is maintained.
Relevance to administrative and
leadership practices

Critical theory in education goes beyond just teaching

content; it delves into the social, political, and power
dynamics at play within school and society.
Here’s how it became relevant to
administrative and leadership
practices
- Examining power structures
- Social justice focus
- Empowering stakeholders
- Critical reflection
Examining power structures

Critical theory helps administrators identify how power

operates within the school system. This incudes analysing
curriculum choices, disciplinary policies, and resource
allocation.
Social justice focus

Critical leadership informed by critical theory places a

strong emphasis on social justice. Leaders can use this
framework to identify and address issues like racial bias in
standardized testing or unequal access to advanced
coursework
Empowering stakeholders

Critical theory encourages a more participatory approach to

leadership. Administrators can involve teachers, students,
and families in decision-making processes.
Critical reflection

A core tenet of critical theory is self-reflection. Leaders can

use this approach to examine their own biases and
assumptions that might influence their decision-making.
Some additional points to consider

- Critical theory doesn’t provide a one size fits all solution

- It can be challenging to implement critical theory in
practice, as it often require a shift in established power
dynamics
- It can undermine traditional values or focus too much on
negativity
Example of critical theory in
school setting.

Subject: Araling Panlipunan

Implications of Critical
theory on Educational
supervision and Policy
development
Educational Supervision

Shifting focus
Supervisors traditionally evaluate teachers based on pre
determined criteria and standardized test. Critical theory
encourages a shift towards a more holistic approach
Reflective Practice

Critical theory emphasizes self-reflection. Supervisors can

work with teachers to critically examine their own biases
and assumptions that might influence their teaching
practices.
Empowering teachers

Supervisors can move from a purely observational role to

one that fosters collaboration and empowers teachers.
Challenges:

Implementation

Implimenting critical supervision can be challenging. It

requires well-trained supervisors who understand critical
theory and can effectively guide teachers
Standardized Testing

The pressure of standardized testing can be at odds with

critical pedagogy. Striking a balance a balance between
critical thinking and meeting assessment requirement is
crucial.
Policy Development

Equity focus

Critical theory pushes for policies that address educational

inequity.
Stakeholders involvement

Policy development informed by critical theory would

involve meaningful participation from educators, students,
families and community members
Critical Analysis

Existing educational policies would be critically examined

to identify and challenge any biases or assumptions that
perpetuate inequality
Closing statement

Overall, critical theory offers a valuable framework for both

educational supervision and policy development, by
focusing on power, equity, and social justice, it has the
potential to create a more just and transformative
educational experience for all students.
Thank you for
listening.
RALPH LAWRENCE C. CUI