A Critical Content Analysis of Racial and Cultural Bias In Early
Childhood Education Teacher Preparation Textbooks
Abstract
Through critical race theory (CRT) in education, this critical content
analysis examines three textbooks used in an early childhood teacher
education program. Findings illustrate how the textbooks propagate
notions of white superiority and the normalcy of mainstream white,
middle-class values through six distinct, yet intersecting forms of
racial and cultural biases—presumption of deficit, selective
xenophobia, assumption of privilege, coded language/invisible words,
statistical violence, and cultural shaming. In discussion, the authors
encourage teacher educators to 1) engage in critical reflection toward
unlearning whiteness; 2) offer diverse perspectives in their
instructional material; and 3) empower teacher candidates to critique
the curricular material provided toward dismantling white supremacy in
early childhood teacher preparation.