Second Annual MEP Research Symposium | Partnering for Progress: Research from the Madison Education Partnership
The Madison Education Partnership held a successful Second Annual Research Symposium: Partnering for Progress on April 25, 2019, at the Spark Building. The symposium, free and open to the public, focused on the research on MMSD early learning and elementary to middle school attendance.
MEP Research Symposium 2019 Program (PDF)
We had three excellent champions of MEP introduce the event, including Robert Mathieu, Director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Ricardo Jara, Chief of Staff MMSD, and Shayna Hetzel, Social Impact Investment Director from the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact.
Introduction by Shayna Hetzel: View the slides
We then discussed how early learning can enhance equitable outcomes for Madison students. Four researchers gave short presentations of MEP studies, followed by a panel of teachers and parents who provided their context for this work. We closed with an interactive brainstorm of ideas from the audience to carry the work forward.
How can early learning enhance equitable outcomes for Madison students?
Enhancing the Quality of Instruction in 4K Study, presented by Culleen Witthuhn
Teacher-Child Interactions, Teacher Beliefs, and Student Outcomes in 4K Classrooms, presented by Katie Ostrander
View the executive summary from the research team.
Family Decision Making about 4K Enrollment, presented by Beth Graue
View the executive summary from the research team.
Collaborating around the Transition to Kindergarten, presented by Beth Vaade
After a short break, we reconvened to discuss what school attendance means for equitable student outcomes. MEP presenters discussed our work around student attendance and the audience engaged in a discussion of what this research could tell us about policy and practice in MMSD.
What Happens When Children Miss School? Unpacking Elementary School Absences in MMSD, presented by Eric Grodsky
Rethinking Cooperation and Co-Ownership – Introducing MEP’s Approach to Middle School Attendance Research, presented by Katie Eklund
We centered this event around incorporating more voices into the work. To do so, we asked all participants to contribute their thoughts around the work and where MEP could work next in the district to increase equity. The full list of audience contributions and recommendations has been shared with: MMSD Department of Early Learning, Student Services, all presenters, and the Madison Education Partnership Steering Committee and Advisory Group. We have summarized the contributions below.
Audience Contributions — Early Learning
Issues in need of attention based on research:
- Consider full-day 4-year-old kindergarten
- Improve the transition from 4K to 5K
- Implement 4K teacher professional development on play-based instruction
Issues to learn more about:
- 4K teacher turnover/diversity
- Transition into 4K
- Play-based kindergarten curriculum
Audience Contributions — Attendance
Joining research and practice to increase equity
- Attendance among at-risk student populations
- Connections with mental health supports / social emotional learning
- Consistent and equitable attendance practices across schools