ABSTRACT
The last decade of the 20th century and early years of the 21st century are distinctive examples of how ideological hegemony is indeed a living process whereby, in this case, the amount of federal involvement and intervention in reading comprehension research and testing is immeasurable. Gramsci (1971) suggests the state can, and does, seize power:
The apparatus of state coercive power which “legally” enforces discipline on those groups who do not “consent” either actively or passively. This apparatus is, however, constituted for the whole society in anticipation of moments of crisis of command and direction when spontaneous consent has failed. (p. 12)
