COURSE DESCRIPTION

What's becoming of public education in America? This lecture-with-discussion series takes up this question in relation to a set of the most pressing issues facing the nation, treating topics that include attention to patterns of achievement and skills, uses and the future of assessments, status of literacy, legal challenges and issues, school funding, the rise of alternative modes of schooling (charters, choice, homeschooling), and directions in early childhood education. Each week features a different invited speaker and discussion.

SPEAKERS

• Making college accessible: How Promise Programs are transforming the way we pay for higher education (Catherine M. Millett)

• A comprehensive science of reading for a comprehensive approach to reading policy and practice (P. David Pearson)

• Key trends in educational assessment: How past shapes future (Randy Bennett)

• Early childhood education: Its complex past, ongoing promise, and uncertain future (Lindsay Chase-Lansdale)

• Plus ça change? - Is there progress in American education? (Gary Sykes)

• The growing importance of education and skills: A conversation on what we can learn from large scale assessment data (Irwin Kirsch)

• From Plessy to Brown and beyond: The roller coaster ride to end school segregation (Philip Carchman)

COURSE LEADER
Ida Lawrence, PhD, was trained in educational psychology and measurement and led the R&D division at Educational Testing Service for many years. She is currently a member of the instructor panel for the Evergreen Forum class, Science in the News.

Gary Sykes, PhD, has a background in education and policy. A Princeton and Stanford graduate, Gary taught education policy for many years at Michigan State University, and researched key elements of teacher quality at Educational Testing Service. At Evergreen Forum, he previously taught An Inquiry Concerning Democracy in America, based on Alexis de Toqueville's classic work.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Please note: This Evergreen Forum course offers a in-person experience only which means it will not be recorded. Any general questions or concerns about this event should be directed to CMAP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 609-751-9699.

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS are available. Please submit a request form by following the link here.

REFUND INFORMATION
· We invite you to donate your refund to CMAP. Call us for more information
· Refund checks will be issued for cash, check, and credit card payments
· Payments made electronically will be refunded electronically
· Refund processing time is approximately 2 weeks
· Up to the start of the second week of an Evergreen Forum Course — refunds will be issued minus a $25 processing fee
· No refund will be offered after the second week of class.
· There will be a $25 processing fee for refunds to those who register for the same program more than once