Critical Conceptions of Graffiti in Schools

The purpose of this thesis is to examine teacher and student perceptions of graffiti found in schools. This is a qualitative study based on data collected from the interviews of ten participants (students and teachers from elementary schools). The participants were asked to comment on why they believe graffiti are produced in schools, what, if anything, should be done with graffiti in schools, and if they see any educational value in graffiti. This thesis also includes a review of literature on graffiti in schools, particularly in relation to student engagement. This thesis asserts that schools can be symbolically violent places that silence the voices of students and that it is sometimes a reaction to this violence that students write graffiti. The recommendations of this thesis include infusing critical pedagogy into learning in order to democratize schools and to enact genuine and meaningful student engagement.M.A