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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

EPOL doctoral candidate receives grant from NCDA

by the College of Education at Illinois / Mar 8, 2017

Gaeun SeoThe research proposal of Gaeun Seo, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, has been chosen to receive the Graduate Student Research Grant for 2017 by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) Research Committee.

Seo’s dissertation proposal, “Doctoral Students’ Career Decision-Making Processes: Comparing Faculty and Non-Faculty Careers from Socio-Cognitive and Contextual Perspectives,” examines how post-preliminary doctoral students can make career-related decisions based on whether or not they are interested in faculty positions or opportunities outside of academia.

Seo, a research assistant at The Career Center, has a passion for the career-development field, which has driven her to work with students who are navigating their careers. Her $500 grant from NCDA is awarded to graduate students who undertake exemplary research addressing topics related to career information, career development, and career planning.

Seo said the award means a great deal to her personally and professionally, and she is grateful for the guidance of her adviser, Dr. David Huang, and supervisor at The Career Center, Dr. Julia Panke Makela. 

“I hope my small steps can offer a starting point to inspire more diverse dialogues about career stories and experiences of doctoral students,” said Seo.