Research

Learn more about UW College of Education research presented at this year's American Educational Research Association meeting, including videos featuring faculty members discussing their research.

Advancing ambitious science teaching for EL students with Jessica Thompson

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Engaging communities in teacher preparation with Ken Zeichner

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Eighteen of the University of Washington College of Education's doctoral students will discuss their research projects on May 8, with topics including teacher preparation, meeting the needs of students with emotional and behavioral issues, and how refugee parents navigate the special education system.

The Research and Inquiry Presentations, a major milestone in each Ph.D. candidate's studies at the College of Education, will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Miller Hall Room 212 and noon to 2 p.m. in Room 411. Presentations are open to the public.

University of Washington research shows that using a single category of learning disability to qualify students with written language challenges for special education services is not scientifically supported. Some students only have writing disabilities, but some have both reading and writing disabilities.

Educational leaders and policymakers in the United States can learn a great deal by looking northward to Canada says Ken Zeichner of the University of Washington College of Education.

"Schools in Alberta are performing well not only on academic achievement, but also on measures of equity," said Zeichner, Boeing Professor of Teacher Education at UW. "Unlike here in the U.S., there's not a high level of criticism of teachers and teacher education. Teachers are valued for their professional acumen."

In Washington's Highline School District, as many as 25 languages can be spoken in a single classroom. That presents a serious challenge to educators who want to provide English learners with rigorous, grade-level appropriate curriculum.

All too often in teacher preparation programs, families and communities are portrayed as obstacles to teachers' work, says Ken Zeichner of the University of Washington College of Education.

"We're parachuting teachers into schools and communities to try and save students," said Zeichner, Boeing Professor of Teacher Education at UW. "Most universities have neglected their communities and the deep knowledge that parents and other community members can offer as we prepare the teachers of their children."

While Advanced Placement is looked at by many as the main brand of rigorous coursework in the United States, it has come under scrutiny for lagging research on how students learn and what counts as learning.

Researchers from the University of Washington College of Education presented their work retooling the AP Government course to take a project-based approach to learning during an April 18 session at the American Educational Research Association's annual meeting.

Debates about educational equity often overlook or disregard the voices of the families and communities most impacted by educational disparities. During an April 16 session at the American Educational Research Association's annual meeting, Professor Ann Ishimaru of the University of Washington's College of Education discussed an ongoing UW project that aims to change this reality by tapping the knowledge and experience of parents.

The outstanding scholarship of UW College of Education faculty and alumni will be recognized during next month's American Educational Research Association meeting in Chicago.

Those being recognized include:

For many children with special needs, ability stands in the way of making friends, having fun, attending the school of their choice or participating in their community. Ilene Schwartz, director of University of Washington's Haring Center for Applied Research and Training in Inclusive Education, is working to change this state of affairs.