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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

Access to qualitative data analysis software with the DAWN project

by Rob Wallon (rwallon2@illinois.edu) / Mar 30, 2018

Data Analysis Workstation and NetworkThe DAWN (Data Analysis Workstation and Network) project is a student-led initiative offering fellow students free access to ATLAS.ti, a powerful qualitative data analysis tool used for analyzing textual, graphical, audio, and video data.

Our goals are (1) to provide broad access to ATLAS.ti so that students can try novel analyses, and (2) to build an informal community of researchers using this tool. To help accomplish these goals, we now have a Windows desktop with software available for use in Room 10E.

During the month of April in the Spring 2018 semester, you can get involved in the DAWN project in two ways.

1. Visit a drop-in session. Stop by to check out the software. A DAWN team member will be present to help you get oriented with the basics of the software. Drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, April 4, 9:00–10:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 5, 2:30–4:00 p.m.

Monday, April 9, 2­–3:30 p.m.

2. Apply for project time. If you would like to reserve project time on the computer, please write a brief summary (150-200 words) conveying your project needs and email it to Rob Wallon at rwallon2@illinois.edu, with the subject “DAWN Application.” Applications will be reviewed by the team on a rolling basis, and time will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.