AISR News

Today, a new coalition focused on education reform in the U.S. joined the conversation, and I’m proud to be a founding member.

The education spotlight in the United States has shifted in recent years from high school graduation to postsecondary success. This shift has led to a proliferation of policies and initiatives – federal and philanthropic grants, schoolwide reform efforts, community-based support systems, and many more.

CONTACT:  Phil Gloudemans 401/863-3552 or philip_gloudemans@brown.edu 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 20, 2012)

URBAN EDUCATION POLICY SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED TO HONOR BROWN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT RUTH J. SIMMONS

Brown’s Annenberg Institute to Support Permanent Annual Award to Master’s Degree Candidate

This series of seven profiles summarizes some of the key policy and implementation challenges that have been confronted and addressed by district superintendents, teachers, school leaders, and others working to transform struggling schools across the nation. The profiles are designed to provide community-based groups, educators, and other advocates with examples of alternatives to school closings and to inform discussions in their own communities.

In a new commentary, AISR researcher Keith Catone joins the national discussion about a controversial Arizona state law that led to the shutdown of a highly effective ethnic studies program in Tucson. Catone argues that the program should be reinstated and championed as a national model of best practice.

Warren will address the topic "Improving Struggling Schools -- Design Principles for System Transformation" at the next UPenn Graduate School of Education's Constance Clayton Lecture Series on Feb. 29.  The 14th annual lecture series honors Dr. Constance E. Clayton, former superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. Over 25 years ago, Dr. Clayton was instrumental in bringing the Head Start program to Philadelphia.

At the invitation of Providence Mayor Taveras, Warren will attend the upcoming welcome reception (1/24) for José Rico, the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, which precedes a “Call to Action” summit entitled “Transforming Educational Outcomes for Hispanics,” at RIC the following day, hosted by the mayor and Gove

Warren Simmons was a featured speaker at the Schott Foundation’s National Opportunity to Learn Education Summit — entitled Uniting Communities for Education Justice & Action — on 12/8-10 in Washington, D.C. He joined an all-star line-up of speakers including Diane Ravitch, PEN’s Wendy Puriefoy, CADRE co-founder & director Maisie Chin, The Advancement Project’s Judith Browne Dianis, Mass.

AISR's Richard Gray, Co-Director of Community Organizing and Engagement, will introduce Parent Power and lead the post-screening Parent Organizing panel — featuring Coalition for Educational Justice’s Zakiyah Ansari and Ocynthia Williams — at the NAACP’s “Daisy Bates” conference December 1-3 in Memphis.

Executive Director Warren Simmons will attend the Aspen Urban Superintendent’s Network meeting in Prince Georges County, Maryland (11/30-12/3).  US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will speak.