Two ASU professors will be making recommendations to the incoming presidential administration in hopes of creating policies that improve American education.
Alfredo J. Artiles and David C. Berliner contributed to a report spearheaded by the National Academy of Education. Both professors are with the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education.
The report will be revealed to congressional representatives and staff, senior officials in the new administration and heads of other education policy organizations Nov. 18.
Gregory White, executive director of the National Academy of Education, said education hasn’t been as visible an issue in this election, but the report comes at a time to focus on educational policy.
“We are on the verge of a new administration, and the report will inform the new Department of Education,” White said. “What distinguishes our effort is that we are only speaking to evidence. Another group may have an agenda, but our constituency are leading researchers, guided by scientific investigation.”
Berliner, a professor in education leadership and policy studies, said the project is unique because it is non-partisan and research-based. Research is currently 1 percent of the education budget, which is a system run on opinion and ideology, he said.
“An example of this is the government’s support of leaving kids back in a grade if they aren’t performing. The evidence is overwhelming that this is wrong,” Berliner said. “Instead, move the kid ahead with his age group and provide special services. But the government continues to sponsor it.”
The report will cover six areas in the field of education, including math and science education, reading and literacy education and teacher quality.
On the project, Berliner researched extended learning opportunities. His focus was using time more effectively in schools. He said many schools think that adding 10 minutes to the school day will improve education. Instead, he said, it would be more effective to take those 50 minutes over the week and create a new educational program.
“The school calendar is a 19th-century remnant, from when we were an agrarian society,” Berliner said. “In our modern society, many women are working mothers. Things are different.”
Artiles’ group researched the effect of government policy on education, particularly why one racial or socioeconomic group achieves at different levels.
“A significant challenge for the next administration will be to strengthen a focus on equity and excellence while it provides the necessary resources to achieve policy goals,” Artiles said in a press release. “This can be done in part by emphasizing not only equity in outcomes, but also equity in opportunities and access.”
The National Academy of Education is currently overseeing the peer review of the report.
Reach the reporter at philip.haldiman@asu.edu.
