Research conducted through the Madison Education Partnership (MEP) speaks directly to the drive to increase equity and close opportunity gaps in Madison public schools. At its second annual symposium on April 25, MEP will share insights on questions related to early learning, and elementary and middle school student absences. All members of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), policymakers, parents, education researchers and education equity advocates are invited to attend this important forum.

Participants will not only learn about current research but also contribute to discussions about the significant, local implications. The symposium will explore questions like: How can early learning enhance equitable outcomes for Madison students? What do complex research results about school attendance suggest for efforts to improve equitable education outcomes in MMSD? Attendees’ insights will help inform MEP’s work moving forward.

This timely event brings together stakeholders and the community to critically consider ways early learning instruction and attendance policies might be more strategically supported and implemented. Through publicly sharing results, the groundbreaking MEP research-practice partnership is working to advance ongoing community discussions about ways to strengthen equity among Madison students and families.

MMSD speakers include Ricardo Jara (Chief of Staff), Beth Vaade (MEP Co-Director), and Culleen Witthuhn (MMSD Director of Early Learning).

UW–Madison speakers include researchers Katie Eklund (MEP Co-Director), Beth Graue, Eric Grodsky (MEP Co-Director), Katie Ostrander, and Bob Mathieu (Director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research).

About the Madison Education Partnership (MEP)

The Madison Education Partnership brings together the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in a locally based, nationally relevant, research-practice partnership. MEP joins research and practice by engaging in mutually defined, high-quality, problem-based research that contributes to policy, builds capacity, and strengthens practice. MEP’s vision is to improve experiences and outcomes for all MMSD students and reduce gaps in opportunity and achievement. Collaborating on MEP are UW Madison researchers and faculty; MMSD administration, teachers and staff; and stakeholders from the broader Madison community. MEP research and publications are available at mep.wceruw.org.