SOE Presents at 2024 AERA Annual Meeting
School of Education (SOE) EdD program听alum Dr. Francesca Smith,听'23, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award by the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group (SIG 12) of the 91制片厂 Educational Research Association (AERA). The award is her second prestigious honor for the dissertation after winning the 2023 Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Dissertation in Practice of the Year Award.
"At my dissertation defense last year, my mom shared with me for the first time that when she was searching for a kindergarten program to enroll me in听- as she and my dad were recent immigrants from Mexico - she was told by a school administrator that she听needs to stop speaking to me in Spanish if she wanted me to enroll and succeed in their program," Smith reflected during her acceptance speech at AERA's 2024 Annual Meeting. "Thankfully, she did not enroll me there, and we continued to speak Spanish at home. Now, as a multilingual adult and educator, it's an honor to have my work acknowledged and share this space with so many inspiring individuals advocating for the gift of bilingual education and the assets of multilingualism."
Titled 鈥淎sset-Based Biliteracy: Recentering Emergent Bilingual听Students in Dual Language English Reading Instruction,鈥 the dissertation focuses on the topic of biliteracy, which Color铆n Colorado, an educational service of the Washington Educational Telecommunications Association (WETA), defines as 鈥渢he ability to effectively communicate or understand written thoughts and ideas through the grammatical systems, vocabularies, and written symbols of two different languages.鈥
A key consideration for her research agenda was whether dual-language schools in the U.S. 鈥 which attract students with linguistic, racial, and socioeconomic privilege 鈥 are intentionally supporting the specific needs and assets of emergent bilingual (EB) students from Latinx families.
The dissertation鈥檚 principal research examined how early intervention in a first-grade dual-language classroom could refocus EB students via both structured literacy instruction and parent partnership using cultural practices and bodies of knowledge that are embedded in the daily practices and routines of families, also known as funds of knowledge.
鈥淭he power of dual-language education is that students learn to read in two languages, which is a gift in and of itself, but is a particularly powerful gift for students from Latinx immigrant backgrounds and Spanish-speaking homes,鈥 Smith said in 2023. 鈥淭hese students can use this gift to sustain their cultural roots but also to gain a research-proven academic advantage through learning in their native language. Maintaining this promise of dual-language education for equity and empowerment was at the center of my work.鈥
SIG 12 was exceptionally moved by Smith鈥檚 findings: an 11-week exploration of 鈥渉ow a teacher could build upon EB students鈥 Spanish language and literacy competencies within small-group English instruction at the beginning of their formal bilingual education鈥 resulted in quantitative findings showing 鈥渢hat grounding early English reading instruction in the transfer and non-transfer of Spanish literacy skills supported students鈥 progress toward grade-level expectations for English decoding and letter sound knowledge鈥 the group reported, among other significant findings.
According to aera.net, SIG 12 seeks to 鈥渂uild community and听the exchange of information regarding听issues related to the education of multilingual learners; provide a variety of formats for examining听current perspectives, theories, trends, and topics related to听bilingual education; encourage qualitative and quantitative, basic, applied, and policy research in the area of bilingual听education; and promote innovative methods and inclusive听research in bilingual education and provide听a forum for innovative approaches in this field of听inquiry.鈥
"I am so grateful to the Bilingual Education Research SIG's recognition and the opportunity to connect with so many brilliant leaders in the bilingual education field at AERA. At past AERA meetings听and, specifically, at the Bilingual Education Research presentations, I was able to connect with several听scholars听who provided the foundations of my research. It was exciting to be a part of the conversations in the field and have my work validated in that space," Smith said. "I also want express听sincere听gratitude to the members of听my dissertation committee, Alida Anderson, Katarina Brito, and Amelia Tseng,听as well as to the rest of my EdD and SOE听community at 91制片厂."
SOE鈥檚 EdD in Education Policy and Leadership is becoming well-known in the field of education鈥檚 academic circles for its acclaimed award-winning dissertations. In addition to Dr. Smith鈥檚 wins, last year, program alum Dr. Cheyenne E. Batista, '22, received Outstanding Dissertation awards from both AERA (2023, Division A) and CPED (2022) for her dissertation, 鈥溾橧 Am Not Scary. I Am Strong. There鈥檚 a Difference.鈥 Disrupting Misogynoir and Transforming Interpersonal Conflict for Black Women Education Leaders: A Multiple Case Study.鈥
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SOE Research Highlighted at 2024 AERA Annual Meeting听SOE Faculty, Students, and Staff Presented
91制片厂's School of Education was significantly represented听among the 2,500 sessions that took place at听the听91制片厂 Educational Research Association's (AERA) 2024 Annual Meeting听in Philadelphia April 11-14. Themed "Dismantling Racial Injustice and Constructing Educational Possibilities: A Call to Action," the meeting was held entirely in-person this year.
Presentations from SOE faculty included听(view the听entire program here):
Thursday, April 11
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, "" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 110A
Dr. Heather Hairston,听Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, "The Language of Black Girls' Love Lessons: Black Girls鈥 Teachings on Love through Literacy" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 3, Room 307
Dr. Brian McGowan, Provost Associate Professor (pictured above, left),听"Toward a Conceptualization of Mentoring for Black People in STEM: A Multigenerational-Multidirectional Approach" in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 112A
10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Dr. Rodney K. Hopson,听Acting Co-Dean and Professor, "Teaching and Learning Black Studies: Towards an Evidence-Based Model for Curricular and Cultural Transformation in U.S. Schools and Systems" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201B
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Dr. Alida Anderson,听Professor, "Identifying Sources of Preservice Teachers' Dyslexia Knowledge to Guide Teacher Education" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104B
Dr. Emily G.听Peterson, Assistant Professor (pictured above, left), "The Development of High School Students鈥 Spatial Thinking: Spatial Education and Individual Differences" in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A
Dr. Asia S. Thomas Uzomba,听Postdoctoral Fellow, "Where the Mirror Starts to Crack: Anna Julia Cooper, Womanist Teaching, and Sustainable Teacher Education" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104A
4:20-5:50 p.m.
Master of Arts in Teaching students听MaryBeth Burst, James Ling, Nicole Jutras,听Patrick Wai, Joshua Weisbard (pictured together, below)听presented听as part of the Round Table discussion "Centering Community in Formative Secondary Geometry and Statistics Lessons" facilitated by听Dr. Deepa听Srikantaiah,听Adjunct Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, far right), in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Assistant Professor听Dr. Kenjus Watson听was a panelist for the discussion ""听in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 119B
Friday, April 12
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Antonio L. Ellis, Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director of the Institute on Education Equity and Justice (pictured below, far right), and Dr. Phelton C.听Moss, Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, second from right), "Advocacy for Speech- and Language-Impaired Students of Color: Uncovering the Silence" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Dr. Toks S. Fashola,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Undergraduate Teaching Assistants and STEM Gateway Courses in the Historically Black College and University Setting" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Dr. Eugene Pringle, Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured above, far left), "Teacher Preparation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Transformative Incubators of Social Activism" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
11:25 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, chaired听"Equity Focused Leadership Possibilities and Practices" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 409
Dr. Robert Shand, Assistant Professor (pictured above),听Dr. kecia hayes,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, and听Dr. Reuben Jacobson,听Director of Education Policy and Leadership Program and Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Reimagining Whole-School Reform: The Intersection of Community Schools and School Turnaround" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Franklin 10
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Danielle G. Sodani,听Director of the听Institute for Innovation in Education (pictured below, far right), Dr. Lauren M. Shea, Research Assistant听Professor-in Residence (pictured below, far left), Anne M. Karabell,听Instructor, and听Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson,听Professor,听"Dual and Multi-Languages: How Teachers, Parents and Communities can Build Bridges" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 107A
4:55-6:25 p.m.
Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson,听Professor, and听Danielle G. Sodani,听Director of the听Institute for Innovation in Education,听"Literacy Instruction Innovation in Special Education" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
5:30-7:00听p.m.
SOE Reception听at AERA 2024 - Sonesta Philadelphia Riddenhouse Square Hotel
6:45-8:15 p.m.
Dr. Francesca Smith, EdD '23, received the Outstanding Dissertation Award at the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group business meeting听- Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 109B
Saturday, April 13
7:45-9:15 a.m.
Dr. Jasmine Rogers,听Adjunct Instructor, "An Exploration of Black Language in Structured Literacy Lessons" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 111B
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Secular School Values Impact Muslim Student Experiences" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 404
Dr. Sung Ryung Lyu,听Assistant Professor (pictured above, right), "Transformative Identity Formation: A Collaborative Autoethnographic Exploration of Womxn of Color Researchers' Experiences in Higher Education" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104B
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Dr. Toks S. Fashola,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Quantitative Research Shapes Educational Policy and Practice: Are You In?" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204 AB
Dr. Rodney K. Hopson, Acting Co-Dean and Professor, chaired听"The 27th Conversations With Senior Scholars on Advancing Research and Professional Development Related to Black Education" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204 AB
Dr. Sung Ryung Lyu,听Assistant Professor, "Empowering Educators: The Power of Action Research in Teacher Development, Growth, and Transformation" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 404
4:55-6:25 p.m.
AERA President and SOE Advisory Board member听Dr. Tyrone Howard (pictured above)听delivered the AERA Presidential Address, "" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Upper Grand Hall, Ballroom AB
6:45-8:15 p.m.
Dr. Antonio L. Ellis,听Senior Professorial Lecturer / Book Signing of听"" at the听Philadelphia Marriott Downtown; Floor: Level 4, Franklin 2 Division G Business Meeting / Hosted by Teachers College Press
Sunday, April 14
7:45-9:15 a.m.
Dr. Emily G. Peterson, Assistant Professor, "Accect and Motivation in Mathematics Education" in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 108A
Dr. Brian McGowan, Provost Associate Professor, "Mentoring Relationships and Black People in STEM" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201B
Dr. Robert Shand,听Assistant Professor, chaired听"Analyses of School Finance Equity and the Impact of Resources in the U.S. and Abroad" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Muslim Student Leaders Disrupt Anti-Muslim Racisms" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 117
Dr. William N.听Thomas IV,听Director of EdD Program and听Professorial Lecturer, chaired听"Stakeholder Perspectives in Charter Schools" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
11:25 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, far left), discussant for "Social Justice Beliefs and Actions" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 118A
1:15-2:45 p.m.
Dr. Brian McGowan,听Provost Associate Professor,听presented a paper by听Dr. Corbin M. Campbell,听Acting Co-Dean and Professor听"Systemic Levers that Support Broad-Scale Institutional Change for Equity-Based Teaching: An Organizational Landscape Analysis" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 103A
Dr. Emily G. Peterson, Assistant Professor, chaired听"Emotions and Motivation in Technology-Based Environments" in the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 108B
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,听Senior Professorial Lecturer, and听Dr. William N. Thomas IV,听Director of EdD Program and听Professorial Lecturer (pictured below), "An Inaugural Faculty Fellowship: A Collaborative Action Research Study of Faculty-Led Antiracist Programming" at the听Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
View the听entire program here.
The听AERA Annual Meeting听is the largest gathering of scholars听in the field of education research, with typically 13,000 of its 24,000 members in attendance. It is an event to showcase groundbreaking, innovative studies in a diverse array of areas: from early education through higher education, from digital learning to second language literacy. Ideas and data are presented and discussed that will shape tomorrow鈥檚 education practices and policies, and where to connect with leading thinkers from the U.S. and around the world.
Photographs by Lumumba Dunduza