Oakland, CA - Five teacher/scholars from Mills College will present their latest research on teaching at an upcoming annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Their session, entitled "Teaching in the Context of the Latest 'Reform': Accounts From the Inside Out," will take place on Monday, April 10, 2006 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel.
 
As part of their research, each teacher/scholar asked a different question regarding the current education policy climate in California. They will present the results of their year long investigations at the AERA meeting.

Lara Lomac (Philip and Sala Burton Academic High School, San Francisco) will chair the session, and Nel Noddings (Stanford University, Teachers College, Columbia) will serve as the discussant. The five participants are: Laura Alvarez (Melrose Elementary School, Oakland), Colette Rabin (Living Wisdom School, Palo Alto), Jennifer Corn (Melrose Elementary School, Oakland), John Melvin (Bret Harte Middle School, Oakland), and Sarah E. Sharp (Bret Harte Middle School, Oakland).

Following their research, the Mills teacher/scholars found it essential to prioritize lessons and learning that develop young democratic citizens, and to reconsider the standards structure that focuses on passing mandated tests that assess limited skills.

Founded in 1916, AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its 22,000 members include educators, administrators, research directors, and graduate students, among many others.

Mills’ highly respected Education Department has a longstanding commitment to preparing teachers who bring their liberal arts foundation to an examination of the challenges of teaching and learning in urban schools.

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs for undergraduate women, and graduate degree and certificate programs for women and men. Consistently ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills is also recognized as one of the country’s 20 most diverse liberal arts colleges. The Princeton Review selected Mills as one of 11 colleges for first-time inclusion in its Best 361 Colleges in 2005. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California on 135 lush acres, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women’s leadership, social responsibility, and creativity.

PRESS CONTACT:
Deborah Dallinger
Communications Consultant
925.788.9131