UCLA gets $4M from U.S. Dept. of Ed. for new education research program

The Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, has awarded the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and the UCLA Department of Psychology a five-year, $4 million grant to support an interdisciplinary doctoral training program dedicated to producing world-class education researchers.

 

The program, which brings together faculty from the fields of education, psychology, biostatistics and sociology, offers high-level instruction in research design, statistics, biometrics and education policy and prepares students to conduct empirical research in education using the most advanced methodological approaches.

 

"The support from the U.S. Department of Education reflects the growing visibility and reputation of our faculty and programs," said UCLA education professor Noreen Webb, who is leading the new endeavor. "The program will provide advanced methodological training along with practical research experience with real-world educational issues. We are honored to receive this prestigious grant."

 

Among the issues students and faculty will address are high-stakes testing policy and practice, ethnic and racial achievement gaps, the mathematics competence of underperforming students, dropout trends and remedies, the effects of tracking in schools, and multimedia technologies for teaching mathematics and science.

 

Other highlights include an invited speakers series, interdisciplinary seminars, and apprenticeships with renowned affiliated researchers in the departments of education and psychology, including special opportunities related to mathematics teaching, learning and testing.

 

Students with undergraduate or master's degrees in education, psychology, mathematics, statistics, sciences, social sciences or humanities can apply for the new program. Selected students will receive a stipend starting at $30,000 a year for up to five years and coverage of tuition, fees, health insurance, research expenses, and travel to an annual fellows meeting in Washington, D.C., and research conferences at which program participants will present research findings.

In addition to Webb, the new program's core faculty includes education professors Michael Seltzer, José Felipe Martínez and Li Cai and psychology professors Steve Reise and Peter Bentler.

 

The deadline for applications for fall 2009 admission is Dec. 1. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit http://aqm.gseis.ucla.edu.

 

The UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies is committed to understanding and improving educational practice, information policy and information systems in a diverse society. The school's academic programs bring together faculty and students committed to expanding the range of knowledge in education, information science and associated disciplines. Its professional programs seek to develop librarians, teachers, administrators and information professionals within the enriched context of a research university.

 

The UCLA Department of Psychology is one of the largest and most productive psychology departments in the nation, featuring renowned faculty and providing ample opportunity for innovative research. The department's scientific contributions have contributed significantly to UCLA's status as a world-class research institution.