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The Forum on the Future of Public Education

The Forum on the Future of Public Education strives to bring the best empirical evidence to policymakers and the public.

The Forum draws on a network of premier scholars to create, interpret, and disseminate credible information on key questions facing P-20 education. The Forum pursues original research and facilitates collaboration between researchers and policymakers to examine the pressing issues shaping the future of public education. Key constituencies of the Forum include scholars who influence research, policy and practice; policy makers and policy making bodies at all levels; members of the media who influence public opinion; foundations, organizations, business groups and others who support, criticize and advocate for reform; and citizens who make choices about education for themselves and their children.

America is witnessing a drastic redefinition of the policies and practices associated with “public education.” Too often, discussions around the future of public education are strong on passion but short on actual evidence. The Forum for the Future of Public Education is filing that gap by building a resource of objective, research-based insights on key educational issues. We are establishing an open venue- a true public forum to debate controversial and consequential policy issues that will shape American’s future.

Special Education head, student receive DEC awards

Aug 9, 2016, 11:00 by the College of Education at Illinois
Micki Ostrosky, head of the Department of Special Education at the College of Education at Illinois, received the Division for Early Childhood Award for Mentoring. Jenna Weglarz-Ward, a Special Education doctoral student in the same college, joined Ostrosky as a DEC honoree, earning the J. David Sexton Student Award.
Micki Ostrosky

 

Micki Ostrosky, head of the Department of Special Education, received the Division for Early Childhood Award for Mentoring, an honor that recognizes a DEC member who has provided significant guidance to the development of students and/or new practitioners in the early childhood field.

Rosa Milagros Santos, a professor in Special Education who co-nominated Ostrosky for the award, said no one is more deserving of the recognition for mentoring. She said Ostrosky’s dedication over the years to the guidance of students and early-career faculty members in early childhood special education has been invaluable, and noted her colleague has advised approximately 29 doctoral students and more than 50 master’s students.

Through numerous scientific and practitioner-oriented published works, Ostrosky’s research has provided a significant amount of evidence that has led to identification of recommended practices, according to Santos.

“She has shown a commitment to bridging the research-to-practice gap,” Santos said. “She’s been at the forefront of this movement in our field.”

Jenna Weglarz-Ward, a Special Education doctoral student, joined Ostrosky as a DEC honoree, earning the J. David Sexton Student Award. The award is given to a DEC member and doctoral-level student who has made contributions to young children with special needs and their families through efforts in research, higher education, publications, policy, and information dissemination.

“Jenna continues the long tradition of our Illinois graduates being honored with the DEC doctoral student award,” Santos said. “She joins an elite group of former doctoral students who have received this award and who have gone on to do great things within the field.”

Ostrosky and Weglarz-Ward will be honored at the Oct. 18-20 International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and their Families conference.

Read a full description of all 2016 DEC awards.