University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis

New report identifies teacher expertise and funding as critical to multilingual learner success

By Katie Grant, Office of Research & Scholarship As schools across the United States serve growing numbers of multilingual learners, a new report co-authored by faculty in the UW–Madison School of Education points to two factors that can help improve student outcomes: stronger educator preparation and funding systems that closely reflect student needs. The report, …

UW–Madison alumnus, School of Education scholars reenvision public schools in new book

A new book edited by UW–Madison alumnus George Theoharis and John Rogers was released by Beacon Press on Aug. 25. “Educating in Dangerous Times: A Call to Reenvision Public School in America” argues that a new and virulent strain of education politics is arising in this era and asks a central question:  How should we …

UW–Madison graduate students selected as State School Finance Fellows

UW–Madison graduate students Xinyu Guan and Ghipsel Cibrian López, both pursuing doctoral degrees in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, have been selected as EdFund State School Finance Fellows. The State School Finance Fellowship is a highly selective, cohort-based program for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars interested in the intersection …

UW–Madison’s Burt writes his ‘redemption song’ for humanity and scholarly inquiry

By Laurel White In a new commentary, a School of Education faculty member offers fellow scholars a guide to responding to questions that challenge their scholarly inquiry — and humanity. Brian Burt, a professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and director of Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei …

ELPA researchers earn Spencer grant to study impact of restrictive LGBTQ+ policies

A research team led by UW–Madison alumna Erin Gill was recently awarded a $50,000 Small Grant from the Spencer Foundation to examine how LGBTQ+-restrictive legislation affects student safety and well-being. Gill, who earned her doctorate from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) in 2025 and is now a postdoctoral …

UW–Madison’s Henry to moderate Wisconsin gubernatorial forum

A School of Education faculty member will serve as moderator for a forum featuring the five Democratic candidates in the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race. All candidates in the race were invited to participate. Kevin Lawrence Henry, Jr., an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, will moderate the forum hosted by …

UW–Madison’s López Joins William T. Grant Scholars Selection Committee

UW–Madison’s Francesca López, the Jim and Georgia Thompson Distinguished Professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, has been selected to serve on the William T. Grant Scholars Selection Committee. Launched in 1982, the William T. Grant Scholars Program supports the professional development of promising early-career researchers in the social, …

UW–Madison’s Fernandez featured in The EDU Ledger on universities’ AI investments

UW–Madison’s Frank Fernandez, an associate professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, was recently featured in The EDU Ledger for his expertise on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education financing.  The article, “Universities Are Betting Big on AI — and Some Are Already Cashing In,” examines how …

New UW–Madison study reframes community college student mental health as a driver of purpose and career development

By WCER Communications A newly published study by UW–Madison School of Education researchers based at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) finds that community college students’ experiences with mental health challenges can shape not only the obstacles they face but also their sense of purpose, empathy, and career direction. The mixed-methods study, published in The …

UW–Madison’s Saldaña wins grant to reimagine how schools coordinate resources

By Karen Rivedal, Office of Research & Scholarship Communications UW–Madison Assistant Professor of Education Finance and Leadership Christopher Saldaña is part of a team that has been awarded a $75,000 Vision Grant from the Spencer Foundation to develop a major research initiative focused on improving how K–12 schools, districts, and community organizations coordinate resources to …