November 2013

In a rapidly changing world with new technologies forged every day, it’s an important time for a big-picture look at how education research has prompted innovation—how new knowledge can improve lives and learning. Last month, the AERA 2013 Coordinated Committee Meeting (CCM)—an annual gathering of AERA standing committees—provided an opportunity for these groups to meet, address next steps, and work collectively on planning. AERA President Barbara Schneider presided at the meeting.  

On the first morning of the meeting, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, the National Science Foundation’s assistant director of Education and Human Resources (EHR), reflected on NSF’s unique role in fostering innovation through investments in basic research. She emphasized the increasing significance of fundamental research at the core of driving STEM education and learning.

This theme continued in a panel focused on “Innovative Programs of Research.” CCM attendees Geoffrey Borman (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Ellen Goldring (Vanderbilt University), P. Karen Murphy (Pennsylvania State University), and Valerie Purdie-Vaughns (Columbia University) discussed the development of their programs of research as they connect to practice and policy.  The discussion was a prelude to break-out sessions aimed at engaging all attendees in discussing innovations. Six cross-cutting groups were asked to share “nuggets” of knowledge—major findings, discoveries, and substantive contributions that have made a difference.  

Other highlights of the CCM Meeting included a presentation by James Cibulka, president of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, focused on the significance of research in innovative teacher preparation programs. Cibulka spoke to the need to use modern data effectively to improve student achievement through better instructor preparation. Cibulka’s session included three commentators—Patricia Alexander, University of Maryland–College Park; Neal Finkelstein, WestEd; and David Monk, Pennsylvania State University.  

CCM Presentations:

• James G. Cibulka: “Using Accreditation to Expand Knowledge in Educator Preparation” (PDF)
• Valerie Purdie-Vaughns: “From Representation to Inclusion” (PDF)
• Geoffrey D. Borman: “Doing Rigorous Research That Impacts Theory and Practice” (PDF)
• P. Karen Murphy: “Quality Talk—Navigating a Path to Deeper Learning” (PDF)
• Ellen Goldring: “The Conceptualization, Validation, and Implementation of the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education” (PDF)