Penn GSE faculty recently co-hosted a conference at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., dedicated to bolstering teaching ranks.
The talk explored the concept of the “Big Blur,” a model that integrates the final years of high school with early college experiences and workforce preparation.
Vice Provost for Faculty Laura Perna says it is extremely important for students, especially low-income students and first-generation students, to complete the FAFSA as they try to identify ways to pay for college.
Jonathan Zimmerman explains that controversy around what is being taught in classrooms is nothing new, but what is new is the aggressive legislative approach states are taking.
Michael A. Gottfried explains the impact of student absences on their peers, citing his research that shows when 10% of a students' classmates are absent on a given day, the student is more likely to be absent the next day.
Richard Ingersoll highlights the complexities and uncertainties in evaluating teacher shortages, pointing out high attrition rates and a significant reserve pool of former teachers, while questioning whether shortages stem from low supply or poor retention.
Bonilla highlights the shift from vocational training to career technical education, emphasizing its role in reducing dropout rates and promoting equitable learning opportunities.
Richard Ingersoll highlights the critical need for qualified teachers and suggests reducing teacher turnover by offering support, decision-making input, and mentorship programs for new teachers to address shortages while underscoring the importance of adequate compensation and respect.
Bowden’s research demonstrates how lenient grading policies in North Carolina high schools lead to reduced student effort and wider academic gaps, questioning current educational reforms.
Alan Ruby warns that a Trump re-election could lead to stricter enforcement of immigration policies affecting international students, potentially impacting their mobility and the broader landscape of international education.
Michael Gottfried emphasizes the role of school environments in student absenteeism. He notes students with disabilities feel more connected and attend more in inclusive settings than in segregated ones, underscoring the importance of creating hospitable learning environments for all students.
Robert Zemsky spearheaded a national initiative to pilot three-year bachelor’s degrees with fewer than 120 credits, aiming to reduce college costs and accelerate workforce entry. The initiative has influenced about 20 schools to consider adopting more accessible and efficient higher education models.
Rand Quinn contextualizes the historical and ongoing challenges of school segregation in San Francisco, underscoring the long-standing difficulties in desegregating schools despite various initiatives aimed at fostering racial balance and diversity.
Sigal Ben-Porath discusses the challenges private colleges face in balancing inclusivity and free speech, noting that policies may unevenly limit expression, complicating efforts to maintain an open academic environment.
Sigal Ben-Porath discusses the growing polarization in K-12 education, emphasizing the challenge of navigating a deeply divided political climate and the impact this has on educational environments and teacher preparation
The former Institute for Research on Higher Education director critiques Governor Shapiro’s higher ed funding plan for Pennsylvania, emphasizing the need for sustainable priorities and systemic policy leadership.
Books by Peter Eckel, Sharon Ravitch, and Karen Weaver explore a wide range of topics including university systems in former Soviet republics, successful leadership mindsets, and the money and politics behind college athletics.
Richard Ingersoll identifies a critical issue in education: the mismatch between the growing number of STEM classes and the declining preparation of teachers for these subjects. He notes the shift towards less experienced teachers, contributing to a "revolving door" phenomenon in schools, which impacts teacher retention and student learning.
MRMJJ Presidential Professor Sigal Ben-Porath says faculty must take the lead in fostering constructive dialogue across differences and creating safe environments for open discussion.
Richard Ingersoll suggests the main issue in teacher supply is not the quantity produced but the high rate of teachers leaving the profession before retirement.
A new year means a new version of the RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings, with the 2024 edition announced yesterday by Education Week. Nine researchers from the University of Pennsylvania made the annual 200-member list, which was created by Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) to gauge the public impact of ed scholars’ contributions.
Karen Weaver acknowledges the complexity and emotional impact of cutting sports programs at universities like the University of Arizona, noting it's a difficult decision that affects loyal alumni and student-athletes, and is driven by financial challenges and varying media-rights revenues in collegiate sports.
Karen Weaver raises concerns about private equity investments in college sports, including potential backlash from the public, ethical considerations when accepting investment from controversial sources, and the impact on university philanthropy efforts and tax benefits for donors.
Educators are all too familiar with the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. It's known as the nation's report card– and as a country, our grades are dropping.
K-12 educators have the highest burnout rates of any segment of the U.S. workforce. We chat with two experts to help explore burnout's root causes, repercussions, and remedies.
Robert Zemsky highlights a broader trend of devaluation in higher education and the challenges faced by institutions cutting faculty positions and programs, suggesting that only top-tier universities are thriving while others are struggling.
Peter Eckel explores the evolution of governance choices in post-Soviet universities. He discusses four distinct governance models that have emerged across the region, emphasizing the need for flexible and context-specific governance structures to meet the diverse needs of higher education institutions in these countries.
In addition to a chaired professorship in her name and a fellowship she helped establish, Clayton leaves behind a legacy of quality education for students from all backgrounds.
In this timely episode of the Educator's Playbook podcast, we confront the pervasive issue of gun violence and its reverberating effects across K-12 education.
As schools find themselves at the epicenter of debates surrounding issues like race, gender and sexual orientation, educators must grapple with the challenges of a rapidly politicized classroom environment.
Chronic absenteeism and truancy are on the rise, hindering student success. In our debut episode of the Educator’s Playbook podcast, we speak with two experts on the issue.
Launching this fall, the Educator's Playbook podcast will examine some of the biggest issues facing K-12 today and share practical, easy-to-implement advice.
Robert Zemsky questions the effectiveness of mergers like Vermont State University's consolidation of three struggling colleges in addressing core issues faced by these institutions.
Julie Wollman says large gifts are a legitimate reason to retain legacy preferences, but donors who want to reward universities for ending legacy could also step in and keep funds coming.
In the wake of the Supreme Court striking down affirmative action, Jonathan Zimmerman writes that what will really make a difference for Black and brown students is improved classroom instruction.
Jonathan Zimmerman says a new take on summer schooling could connect more teachers with the passion and idealism that brought them into education in the first place.
Dean Katharine Strunk says data has grown increasingly political with the general polarization around public education; she says data does not need to be weaponized.
Ryan Baker says educators must look at a technology’s track record in the context of their own school’s demographics, geography, culture, and challenges when considering investing in new technology for the classroom.
Jonathan Zimmerman says that, in light of affirmative action being overturned, some colleges may base admissions on income. That could bring in more white working-class students, which will make campuses more ideologically diverse places.
