The global circulation of literacy policy: Phonics, inequality and neo- conservative political movements1

Abstract

This paper examines how reforming literacy education has become a key policy priority for contemporary conservative political movements. In Brazil, a right-wing populist Federal Government has prioritized a shift to “phonics”, while in the US and Australia conservative advocacy of phonics has resulted in policy changes over the past three decades. Phonics policy advocacy (PPA) is examined as part of a shift in the terrain of political debate towards control of cultural and educational institutions, championed by new types of policy coalition. Further, phonics policy advocacy (PPA) gains space as a result of transnational sharing of personnel, discourses and political strategy amongst conservative groups. The analysis points to connections between religious, traditionalist and neoliberal components of contemporary conservative policy advocacy. The discussion is based on examination of media reporting and policy statements, focusing on the Brazilian case, suggesting that commercial and ideological interests are particularly close in this setting, relative to other contexts that have been studied previously.