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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.

Latest News

Nominate deserving Education at Illinois students for Outstanding Student Medal

by Lisa Denson-Rives / Feb 10, 2017

Each year the Education Alumni Association (EAA) selects a bachelor's, master's/advanced certificate, and doctoral student to receive the Outstanding Student Medal, which is presented at the College of Education Convocation. EAA and the Office of Advancement in the College of Education are asking for assistance in identifying students in these three categories who are deserving of this prestigious award.

Eligibility for these awards requires the students to receive a College of Education degree upon graduating between August 2016 and May 2017. Students graduating from the College of LAS are NOT eligible to be nominated. Nominations should include the student's name, email, telephone number, degree level, and date conferred. 

Once the student accepts the nomination, as nominator, you will receive notification and direction on how to submit a required letter of recommendation for your student(s). Your letter should address the following:

  1. Superior level of scholarship within the department/program
  2. Service to the department, college, university, and/or community
  3. Potential leadership in the field of education

All support material must be submitted no later than Monday, March 27, 2017.

Nominate a student today.

The EAA Awards Committee will select the award winners by mid-April. Most importantly, the recipients will deliver the convocation address for their represented class at the College of Education Convocation on May 13, 2017, and will be featured in various College/EAA materials. 

Thank you for helping us to identify our most outstanding and deserving students for these three awards. Please contact Lisa Denson-Rives at lkdenson@illinois.edu or 217-300-2752 if you have any questions or concerns.