As schools nationwide prepare for the new academic year, faculty researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development are available to comment on trends in K-12 and higher education.
Contact Joan.brasher@vanderbilt.edu or call (615) 322-NEWS to arrange an interview.
K-12 EXPERTS
Bullying
Maury Nation works with Tennessee school administrators to create positive learning environments for students.
Education policy
Jason Grissom studies education policy and can comment on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
English language learners
Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez is a bilingual former teacher and administrator who researches solutions for unique challenges immigrant learners face.
Failing schools
Gary Henry studies Tennessee’s Achievement School District and iZone schools as well as school turnaround in several other states.
Failing schools
Marisa Cannata can comment on improving low-performing schools through effective leadership and a supportive professional community.
Gifted education
Donna Y. Ford studies gifted minorities and was instrumental in Metro Nashville Public Schools’ recent implementation of the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test for screening gifted children.
Gifted education
Jason Grissom studies teacher racial bias in gifted programs and the impact of a primarily white female teacher workforce.
Gifted education
David Lubinski co-directs a longitudinal study on giftedness and can discuss the long-term outcomes of children identified as gifted at an early age.
Delinquency and substance abuse
Andy Finch has been honored by the White House for his work in establishing recovery high schools.
Delinquency and substance abuse
Mark Lipsey evaluates juvenile delinquency reform efforts in several U.S. states and Australia.
Learning disorders
Laurie Cutting conducts neuroimaging studies to better understand dyslexia and other reading disorders.
Learning disorders
Douglas and Lynn Fuchs partner with Nashville teachers to implement math and reading interventions for children with, or at-risk for, learning disabilities.
Pre-kindergarten
Dale Farran and Mark Lipsey study Tennessee’s statewide voluntary pre-K program and can discuss the power and pitfalls of pre-K.
School Choice
Claire Smrekar can discuss the dynamics of school desegregation, charter schools, independent schools and school vouchers.
Sexual and gender identity
Heather Hensman Kettrey can comment on sexual and gender identity and gay-straight alliances in high schools.
Special education
Ann Kaiser researches early interventions for children with language difficulties, including Down syndrome and autism, and the use of assistive technologies like iPads for learning.
Special education
Christopher Lemons evaluates reading and phonological awareness in children with Down syndrome.
Special education
Joseph Wehby studies aggressive behavior in students with intellectual disabilities as well as interventions to facilitate learning and socializing.
Standardized testing
Gary Henry can provide perspective on Tennessee’s recent struggle to implement standardized testing.
Teacher salaries and evaluations
Matthew G. Springer looks at educator incentive pay programs as well as the use of teacher and principal evaluation data for hiring decisions.
Teacher salaries and evaluations
Mimi Engel focuses on the teaching labor market, and can comment on the correlation between teacher hiring practices and teacher quality.
Teacher salaries and evaluations
Jason Grissom understands principal leadership and hiring and can comment on the challenges of filling multiple empty positions within a school district.
Teacher training and pedagogy
Barbara Stengel advises and trains teachers in Nashville classrooms, and can comment on Common Core, classroom management, teacher preparation, testing and curriculum.
Technology in the classroom
Rogers Hall researches and develops math- and technology-based learning environments and can discuss spatial learning and the relationships between personal mobility and learning.
Technology in the classroom
Melissa Gresalfi evaluates the role in technology, including video games, in supporting student learning.
HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERTS
College affordability
Angela Boatman can speak on why particular populations are more “loan averse” than others and the role of financial aid.
College affordability
William R. Doyle investigates higher education public policy at both state and federal levels and can discuss why college affordability has declined in every U.S. state.
Community college and remedial education
Angela Boatman focuses on community colleges, the Tennessee Promise program and remedial assessment, placement and instruction.
Online learning
Brent Evans studies massive online open courses (MOOCs) and can shed light on who is more likely to take, and complete, these types of courses.
Post-secondary schooling for students with intellectual disabilities
Erik Carter heads Vanderbilt’s Next Steps at Vanderbilt program, which provides a college experience and job training for students with intellectual disabilities.
Racial bias in higher education
Ebony McGee studies micro-aggressions and marginalization of people of color in higher ed and the workplace, particularly in the STEM fields.
Tuition-free and debt-free college plans
Brent Evans can speak on alternative models for paying for college and national trends in tuition-free and debt-free college.
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