Features

Eighteen of the University of Washington College of Education's doctoral students will discuss their research projects on May 8, with topics including teacher preparation, meeting the needs of students with emotional and behavioral issues, and how refugee parents navigate the special education system.

The Research and Inquiry Presentations, a major milestone in each Ph.D. candidate's studies at the College of Education, will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Miller Hall Room 212 and noon to 2 p.m. in Room 411. Presentations are open to the public.

University of Washington research shows that using a single category of learning disability to qualify students with written language challenges for special education services is not scientifically supported. Some students only have writing disabilities, but some have both reading and writing disabilities.

All too often in teacher preparation programs, families and communities are portrayed as obstacles to teachers' work, says Ken Zeichner of the University of Washington College of Education.

"We're parachuting teachers into schools and communities to try and save students," said Zeichner, Boeing Professor of Teacher Education at UW. "Most universities have neglected their communities and the deep knowledge that parents and other community members can offer as we prepare the teachers of their children."

Debates about educational equity often overlook or disregard the voices of the families and communities most impacted by educational disparities. During an April 16 session at the American Educational Research Association's annual meeting, Professor Ann Ishimaru of the University of Washington's College of Education discussed an ongoing UW project that aims to change this reality by tapping the knowledge and experience of parents.