Rising to the Challenges of Quality and Equality: The Promise of a Public Pedagogy

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

All children have a right to a quality education, but many children in today's world are being denied that right. What can AERA do about that? What should AERA do about that? Yes, we need more scientific research that provides facts about schools and educational systems. We need methodological rigor, a wide diversity of research sites, and powerful analytical tools.In addition, we need research that provides insight into values, ethics, and questions of goodness and justice. Division B has a long tradition of addressing questions about values such as, "How do we know when our well-intended and thoroughly researched innovations are producing unanticipated consequences that do not benefit children?" Rising to these contemporary and prevailing challenges, Division B proposes a session that speaks truth to those in power who put monetary gain before quality and equality of education in present day US schools. The session honors multicultural diversity, assesses the ethical implications of research methods, and improves the quality of education especially for those who have been denied that right. Our first invited speaker is Diane Ravitch, who will speak to us about her research on some of the unanticipated consequences of educational innovations. Our second speaker is Helen Gym who will speak to us about what educational research means for the lives of school children in Philadelphia.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Cosponsor

• Division B - Curriculum Studies

Chair

• Carl A. Grant, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Participants

• Diane Ravitch, New York University

• Helen Gym, Parents United for Public Education