COLLEGE PARK, MD (SEPTEMBER 14, 2004) — High quality teaching has become a central goal of United States education policy, but what constitutes high quality teaching is hotly contested. This interactive forum aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students to examine what we know about "high quality teaching" – specifically what counts as high quality teaching and the complexities of researching, designing, and implementing reforms to achieve this essential education goal.

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Margaret Brent Room of the Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland educational researchers will open the discussion by presenting their original research findings that address the questions:  

These presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion among presenters and audience members regarding the state of the field in educational research on high quality teaching and implications for practice in schools, school district central offices, state educational agencies, and higher education.     

Featured speakers will include: Jacqueline Cossentino, Department of Education Policy and Leadership, Robert Croninger, Department of Education Policy and Leadership, Barbara Finkelstein, Department of Education Policy and Leadership and International Center for Transcultural Education, Meredith Honig, Department of Education Policy and Leadership and Center for Education Policy and Leadership, Wanjiru Kumau, International Center for Transcultural Education, Jennifer King Rice, Department of Education Policy and Leadership and Center for Education Policy and Leadership, and Linda Valli, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

-end-