PHILADELPHIA — The Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania is partnering with the American Educational Research Association to host the Education Writers Association’s 2012 national seminar May 17-19 on the Penn campus.

The conference attracts nearly 250 journalists, communication professionals, scholars and newsmakers each year.

“This innovative partnership reflects a commitment by the participants to foster stronger links between the education, journalism and research communities in the interest of expanding the quantity and quality of education coverage nationwide,” Andy Porter, the dean of Penn GSE, said. “Reporters, researchers and scholars all have unique perspectives on what makes educational improvement so challenging.  Working together on a seminar like this lets us address the most consequential topics in a way that improves reporting and research.”

“As we work to help EWA members make a mark in the fast-changing media landscape, we’re committed to exploring the most important education issues of the day,” EWA President Stephanie Banchero, the national education reporter for the Wall Street Journal, said. “I can think of no better partners to help us do that than AERA and Penn GSE.”

The American Educational Research Association is a Washington-based membership organization for scholars who specialize in education research.

“The outpouring of interest from the education research community in hosting the 2012 conference underscores the unique strengths that this collaboration offers,” Felice Levine, AERA executive director, said. “We are delighted to support EWA’s efforts to build bridges between journalists and scholars.”