Connecticut lawmakers and education leaders seeking to reduce the use of restraints and seclusion in public schools were encouraged this week by two UConn experts who offered a successful, research-driven alternative to addressing disruptive student behaviors. More than 100 people attended a two-hour presentation at the state Capitol on Jan. 27, where professors George Sugai and Nicholas Gelbar described how a prevention and de-escalation strategy known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) can significantly reduce incidents of seclusion and restraint, while simultaneously improving the classroom climate for all students.
This time of year, millions of high school students around the country are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will be accepted into the college or university of their choice. For many, high school grades and standardized test scores will be the initial benchmarks that decide their fate. But UConn professor of educational psychology James C. Kaufman says traditional college admission practices are capturing only part of a student’s overall potential.
A new report focused on sexual violence with K-12 students in Connecticut – co-authored by former faculty member Jonathan Plucker ’91 (CLAS), ’92 MA and current Neag School student Grace Healey – shares recent research regarding “the prevalence of sexual violence, with a focus on young people, at both the national and state level,” and outline steps that the state of Connecticut is taking in response.
Three-time Neag School alum Alicia (Qerim) Bowman ’01 (ED), ’02 MA, ’08 6th Year – now in her sixth year serving as principal of West Woods Upper Elementary School in Farmington, Conn. – is featured this week as part of Teach.com’s “8 Questions” series, which showcases teachers who have transitioned their classroom skills into new and exciting careers in the field of education.
Creativity in education has become a global priority. How can we help students explore their creative side — and empower them to solve global challenges — in an era of strict curricula, packed after-school schedules, and decreasing amounts of playtime in schools?
Preston Green III, John and Carla Klein Professor of Urban Education in the Neag School of Education, recently spoke with Jennifer Berkshire, author of the EduShyster blog, about a new report – titled “Are We Heading Toward a Charter School ‘Bubble’?: Lessons From the Subprime Mortgage Crisis” – for which Green is the lead author.
Dr. Gladis Kersaint has been named the new dean of the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education.
Kersaint, currently associate dean of academic affairs and research for the College of Education at the University of South Florida (USF), where she is also a professor of mathematics education, will begin in July.
Editor’s Note: The following piece, authored by Professor Joseph Renzulli, appeared in District Administration’s January 2016 issue.
