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The Forum on the Future of Public Education

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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

College of Education Attracts Top Talent

by the College of Education at Illinois / Aug 25, 2017

The College of Education continues to attract top scholarly talent to campus and is excited to welcome five new faculty members in Fall 2017.

Meet the New Faculty

Elizabeth BiggsElizabeth Biggs
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Ph.D. 2017, Special Education and Teaching; Vanderbilt University

Dr. Biggs worked as a special education teacher on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico prior to her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on identity support and instructional strategies that promote the effective learning of children and youth.

Catherine CorrCatherine Corr
Assistant Professor of Special Education

Ph.D. 2015, Special Education; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Corr, an alumna of the College of Education, was a research associate at Vanderbilt University prior to returning to Education at Illinois. Her research focuses on the well-being of young children with disabilities and their families.

Stina KristStina Krist
Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
Ph.D. 2016, Learning Sciences; Northwestern University

Dr. Krist’s research focuses on the connections among conceptual, epistemological, and socio-cultural dimensions of learning and teaching in science. She conducted her postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland.

Christopher NapolitanoChristopher Napolitano
Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology
Ph.D. 2013, Child Development; Tufts University
Dr. Napolitano comes to Illinois from the University of Zurich, where he was a research assistant professor. His interest lies in the development of adaptive self-regulatory actions across the lifespan and translating this work into programs that promote positive youth development.

Rachel RoegmanRachel Roegman
Assistant Professor of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership

Ed.D. 2014, Educational Leadership and School Change; Columbia University
Dr. Roegman’s research focuses on the interconnections of context, equity, and leadership in the areas of data use, professional development for superintendents and superintendent work, and the ways these education leaders advance equity goals.