Northwestern Profs to Discuss Education in a Global Society

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University researchers from a host of academic fields related to education will gather at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) Wednesday night, Jan. 23, to discuss "Academic Achievement in a Global Society." 

The six Northwestern researchers will explore the distinctive, important role that diverse and rigorously academic schools like ETHS can and must play in meeting the needs of an increasing multicultural, multiracial and globalized world.

Free and open to the public, "Academic Achievement in a Global Society" will take place at 7 p.m. in the Upstairs Theatre on the third floor of ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston. It is wheelchair accessible.

The interdisciplinary panel will discuss ways in which high schools with student populations like that of ETHS can lead the way in forging connections between academic rigor, diversity and inclusive learning to prepare today's students to successfully navigate and be leaders in the multiracial world that awaits them on graduation.

“Research suggests that students who have learned to imagine and create and to innovate and problem solve in diverse high school environments bring these skills, mindsets and styles to the colleges they attend,” says David Figlio, professor of education and social policy and director of Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research.

“Our panel will explore why a bold, coordinated and timely shift is required at both the K-12 and higher education levels to create educational spaces that foster inclusive, creative and collaborative problem solving,” Figlio adds.

In addition to Figlio, Northwestern panel participants are:

• Sociologist Anthony Chen, who is doing research on affirmative action and college admission

• Labor economist Kirabo Jackson, whose work has examined the effectiveness of charter schools and the role of peer learning in teaching effectiveness

• Psychology professor Jennifer Richeson, whose studies the ways social group memberships such as race impact the way people think, feel and behave 

• Psychology professor Mesmin Destin, who has studied how youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds think about the things that stand in the way or improve their future economic success

• Researcher Kemi Jona, a thought leader and frequent speaker on e-learning, virtual schools, curriculum redesign and learning technology, who works extensively with ETHS. 

For further information about the Jan. 23 panel discussion, contact David Futransky, ETHS Community Liaison, at futranskyd@eths.k12.il.us.