State of the Union: Education

A panel of expert researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education are available to discuss K-12 and higher education topics that are related to the State of the Union address.

Jon Supovitz

Professor Director, Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) Education Policy Division - Teaching, Learning & Leadership Division.
Graduate School of Education.
University of Pennsylvania.

An expert in school reform and state takeovers, standardized testing and instructional improvement, Dr. Supovitz researches how schools use different means to determine effectiveness. Dr. Supovitz conducts research on how education organizations use different forms of evidence to inquire about the quality and effect of their systems to support the improvement of teaching and learning in schools.



Kat Stein | 215-898-9642 | katstein@gse.upenn.edu


Richard Ingersoll

Professor of Education and Sociology Board of Overseers Chair of Education.
Graduate School of Education.
University of Pennsylvania.

A nationally recognized expert in teacher shortages, qualifications and turnover rates, Dr. Ingersoll's research is concerned with the character of elementary and secondary schools as workplaces, teachers as employees and teaching as a job. He questions whether there really is a shortage of math and science teachers and offers a "there's a hole in the bucket" perspective relating to the teaching workforce. Dr. Ingersoll can discuss treating teachers better and preparing 100,000 new science, technology, engineering and math teachers in the next 10 years.



Kat Stein | 215-898-9642 | katstein@gse.upenn.edu


Joni Finney

Practice Professor Director, Institute for Research on Higher Education.
Graduate School of Education.
University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Finney is an expert in public financing of higher education, as well as access and accountability in higher education. She has worked for more than 20 years with state leaders to improve public policies that govern higher education. She can discuss increasing the number of college graduates and investing in community colleges.



Kat Stein | 215-898-9642 | katstein@gse.upenn.edu


Laura Perna

James S. Riepe Professor Executive Director, Penn AHEAD Chair, Higher Education Division.
Graduate School of Education.
University of Pennsylvania.

An expert in student loans and finances, paying for college, and college affordability and choice, Laura W. Perna researches how individual characteristics, social structures and public policies enable or restrict women, racial/ethnic minorities and people of lower socio-economic status in gaining opportunities in higher education.



Kat Stein | 215-898-9642 | katstein@gse.upenn.edu