PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory

Date

Applied Critical Theory

The situation involves a high school student who raises concerns regarding the special privileges afforded to classmates with learning disabilities, specifically the extended time allowed for classwork and tests. These accommodations have been in place for many years, not only in high school but also in earlier grades throughout the school district. The stakeholders in this scenario include students with documented learning disabilities, students without such disabilities, parents, and school board administrators.

Students without documented learning disabilities express their discontent with the additional time granted by the school board, perceiving it as an unfair advantage compared to their own circumstances. Both students and their parents argue that all students, regardless of documented disabilities, should receive equal treatment. This conflict presents a difficult decision for the school board, as some parents believe the current arrangement is just, while others, whose children have learning disabilities, sympathize with the student raising the concern. The decision ultimately hinges on differing ethical viewpoints, making it a complex and contentious issue (Smith, 2021).

Critical theory, unlike traditional theories, provides a philosophical and sociological framework for analyzing historical and contemporary societal challenges. Its goal is to reveal power dynamics and inequalities, emphasizing the need to question dominant cultural narratives and elevate marginalized voices. Critical theory aims to challenge and rectify disparities in power structures, ultimately working towards social justice. To streamline the critical theory process, it should fulfill three criteria: explicability, practicality, and adherence to specific standards (Bohman, n.d.).

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory

In this context, critical theory can be compared to Marxist Criticism but applied to a smaller societal unit, specifically the school district. While Marxist Criticism addresses broader societal issues, critical theory focuses on a more localized context. The decision made in this scenario can have implications for a larger segment of society beyond just one school district (Marxism, 2023).

The ethical dilemma at hand arises from a student’s observation that classmates with documented learning disabilities receive preferential treatment, particularly regarding extended time for assignments and tests. Other students without such documented disabilities view this as an ethical concern. This situation aligns with disability theory and can be likened to the principles of queer theory, where marginalized groups, such as those with disabilities or non-heteronormative identities, are treated differently and unfairly. To address this ethical conflict, it was necessary for someone to raise awareness and bring the issue to the forefront for consideration (Smith, 2021).

The student without documented learning disabilities is the primary individual facing a conflict of interest in this scenario. When the issue was brought to the attention of the school board administration, it garnered the interest of concerned parents. Some parents supported the student’s perspective, viewing the situation as unjust to students without documented learning disabilities. A practical resolution to this issue would be for the school board to extend the time allowed for all students for projects, classwork, and tests, ensuring equal opportunity. Alternatively, providing educational resources to parents and students opposing the regulation could help them understand its original intent and offer assistance if needed (Smith, 2021).

References

Bohman, J. (n.d.). Critical theory. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/

Marxism. (2023). Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/marxist.crit.html