The UEP Program hosts a Speaker Series featuring notable scholars addressing current challenges and issues in our urban school systems.
Upcoming UEP Speakers
TBA
Past UEP Speakers
Wednesday, March 5, 2008: "How Research Can Help Reduce Achievement Gaps" , 11am-12:15pm, Dewey Conference Room
Renowned economist and education researcher, Ron Ferguson of Harvard University (click here for bio) will present findings from his newest book, Toward Excellence with Equity: An Emerging Vision for Closing the Achievement Gap. This work explores the socio-political issues and school reform efforts of the past 15 years, chronicling the successes and failures at reducing the achievement gap. Ferguson believes dramatic success is possible and will share his strategy to better address one of the most significant issues facing education today. (click here for full advertisement)
Thursday, February 14, 2008: "Explaining Trajectories of Academic Performance Among Newcomer Immigrant Students" 11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. in the Petteruti Lounge, Faunce House. Sponsored by the Urban Education Policy Program and the Center for the Study of Human Development.
Lecture given by Dr. Carola Suarez-Orozco (click here for Bio) and Dr. Marcelo M. Suarez-Orozco (click here for Bio) of New York University.
For some immigrant children heading off to college, America promises to be beacon of hope. These lucky few have often time had the benefit of supportive homes and mentors in their lives, ushering them toward success. However, for many more, the American experience, especially educationally, can be marked with frustration, disappointment, and disenfranchisement. How we can explain the varied academic journeys experienced by immigrant children?
Drs. Marcelo and Carola Suarez-Orozco will present their qualitative findings noted in their newest book, Learning a New Land: Immigrant Students in American Society co-authored with Irina Todorova, that speaks to the Trajectories of Academic Performance Among Newcomer Immigrant Students.
Wednesday, Novemeber 14, 2007: "Project READS (Reading Enhances Achievement During Summer): A Multi-District Randomized Controlled Trial of a Voluntary Summer Reading Intervention"
Lecture given by Dr. James Kim, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Noon to 1:30 p.m. in Barus Hall.
Can a voluntary summer reading intervention with teacher and parent scaffolding improve the reading motivation and achievement of Grade 4 students? How do classrooms, homes, and peers affect student outcomes?
To address these questions, we conducted a multi-district randomized controlled trial (RCT) in urban school districts. The core intervention provides children with 8 books matched to their reading level and interests, encourages oral reading of text with family members, and encourages the use of comprehension strategies during independent reading. We will also conduct planned variations of the core in each district. Preliminary findings from two districts will be discussed. Click here for full advertisement.
Friday, October 5, 2007: " New Teachers’ Social Networks, Commitment Levels, and Retention Decisions in Urban School Districts" <click here to view a chapter from this study>
Lecture given by Dr. Peter Youngs (bio) , Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Noon in Barus Hall. This presentation is based on a three-year study (through 2008-09) of 150 beginning elementary and middle school teachers in urban school districts in Michigan and Indiana. Click here for full advertisement.
Friday, March 16, 2007: "Preschool Expansion: Policy Implications", Noon in Barus Hall. Talk given by Deborah Stipek, Dean of and Professor in the Stanford University School of Education. Click here for full advertisement.
Friday, March 23, 2007: "Predicting Teacher Effectiveness: Evidence from New York City", Noon in Barus Hall. Talk given by Jonah Rockoff, Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia Business School. Click here for full advertisement.
Friday, February 23, 2007: "Public-Private Partnerships and Schooling Outcomes Across Countries", Noon in Barus Hall. Talk given by Dr. Ludger Wößmann, Head of Department Human Capital and Innovation & Professor of Economics of Education @ the Ifo Institute for Economic Research in Munich. Click here for full advertisement.
November 10, 2006: "What difference does difference make?: National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and teachers' work in urban elementary schools", Noon in Barus Hall. Talk given by Professor Dorothea Anagnostopoulos, Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University.
November 17, 2006: "Urban Reform in Chattanooga", 10 AM in Barus Hall. Talk given by Dr. Jesse Register of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform & former superintendent of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County (TN) public schools. Abstract: An overview of the reform in the district from the time of the merger until now. This includes developing a new pupil assignment plan, reconstituting low performing schools, recruiting good teachers to inner city schools, developing support systems and strengthening leadership teams for these schools, etc. Implications on district/urban collaboration to address low performing schools and district restructuring lessons.
Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University (4/26/2006):
Low-Wage Employment, Family Life and Child Development: Implications for Family and Work PoliciesClick Here For Full Advertisement
Professor Helen Ladd, Duke University (2/10/2006):
School Choice, Racial Segregation, and Test-Score Gaps: Evidence from North Carolina's Charter School Program
Helen F. Ladd is Professor of Public Policy Studies and Economics at Duke University and Associate Director of the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy. Prior to 1986, she taught at Dartmouth College, Wellesley College, and at Harvard University, first in the City and Regional Planning Program and then in the Kennedy School of Government. Most of her current research focuses on education policy. She is the editor of Holding Schools Accountable: Performance-Based Reform in Education (Brookings Institution, 1996) and is the coauthor (with Edward Fiske) of When Schools Compete:A Cautionary Tale (Brookings Institution, 2000) which draws lessons for the U.S from New Zealand's experience with self-governing schools, parental choice and competition. From 1996-99 she co-chaired a National Academy of Sciences Committee on Education Finance. In that capacity she is the co-editor of two books: a set of background papers, Equity and Adequacy in Education Finance and the final report, Making Money Matter: Financing America's Schools. During the past few years she has written articles on school-based accountability, market-based reforms in education, parental choice and competition, intergenerational conflict and the willingness to support education, and the effects of HUD's Moving to Opportunity Program on educational opportunities and outcomes. She graduated with a B.A. degree from Wellesley College in 1967, received a master's degree from the London School of Economics in 1968, and earned her Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1974. As of July 1, 2003, she is the Edgar Thompson Professor of Public Policy Studies.
Nick Donahue, Special Master at Hope High School (11/15/2005):
"Hope Rising?"
Currently, Nick serves as a “Special Master” overseeing an Order reconstituting Hope High School in Providence Rhode Island. A unique school improvement strategy, his role includes supporting the building leadership, working with district staff and monitoring progress toward substantive improvements for all students. Taking dramatic steps to make dramatic improvement is at the core of that work.
This talk addressed the real issues facing Providence's Hope High School from the perspective of the state's Special Master. How is the local "poster-child" for struggling schools doing? Do well intended federal, state and local policies help or are they a hindrance? How is progress being measured? Is it possible to make real, significant change? What does it take? <Bio>
Gary Sasse, Executive Director of the RI Public Expenditure Council (10/12/2005):
Making Every Dollar Count: Financing Education in Rhode Island
Gary Sasse has been the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Expenditure Council (RIPEC) since 1977. RIPEC is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan public policy research and education organization dedicated to the advancement of effective, efficient and equitable government in Rhode Island. Mr. Sasse had become recognized as one of the most reasoned voices in the school finance debate in Rhode Island. His presentation on "Making Every Dollar Count: Financing Education in Rhode Island" was the first talk in the newly inaugurated Urban Education Policy Speaker Series, a series of education policy presentations and discussions that are a part of the Urban Education Policy Masters Program.
