Educational Psychology Professor Matthew Burns testified to the Minnesota House of Representatives Education Policy Committee on Friday March 7th regarding how learning disabilities are diagnosed in K-12 schools. Dr. Burns testified that the current approach to diagnosing students with learning disabilities was largely discredited by research, and that the state should consider adopting the bill written by Representative Bly in which a Response-to-Intervention
Ed Psych’s Special Education Graduate Nominated for Special Education Teacher Recruitment Week
Andrew Haugen, recent Developmental Disabilities (DD) graduate of the Special Education Programs in the Department of Educational Psychology, was selected as 1 of 5 special education teachers statewide to represent Minnesota in Special Education Teacher Recruitment Week. The recruitment process for this nomination involves a submission to Minnesota’s Department of Education that identifies a special education teacher who is effective and articulate about his or her work.
Haugen was nominated by Deb Wall, Director of Special Education in Minnesota, in recognition of his skill in developing curriculum, managing paraprofessionals in an inclusive and collaborative manner, communicating with parents, and facilitating professional development. The Special Education Programs and Department of Educational Psychology are excited about his nomination and proud of Haugen’s accomplishments.
Ed Psych’s McGrew’s to address link between intellectual disability and death penalty
Dr. Kevin McGrew, visiting Professor in the School Psychology program within the Department of Educational Psychology, has authored two chapters that are set to be published in a forthcoming book this spring regarding intellectual disability and death penalty cases.
The Death Penalty and Intellectual Disability: A Guide is a special manual that provides guidance for standards for the identification of intellectual disability in death penalty cases. The guide stems from the Supreme Court of the United States case Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 in which executing intellectually disabled individuals violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishments. This text goes well beyond the official 2010 “green book” manual by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
McGrew authors the chapters on “Intellectual Functioning: Conceptual Issues” and “Norm Obsolescence: The Flynn Effect”.
PsTL’s Jehangir to discuss First-Generation College Students on MPR
The Daily Circuit program on Minnesota Public Radio News is addressing first-generation college students and the difficulties that may lie ahead for those being the first in their families to attend a four-year institution. Lack of familial support, money, and guidance are examples of the hurdles these students need to overcome.
Associate Professor of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, Rashne Jehangir will be on the program discussing her book, “Higher Education and First Generation Students: Cultivating Community, Voice and Place for the New Majority.” Jehangir’s research is primarily focused on retention and graduation of low-income, first-generation students and the transformation of teaching and learning to address intellectual, social, emotional, and student development.
When the First in a Family Goes to College will air December 5, 2013 on MPR News 91.1 at 11:06 AM.
Educational Psychology faculty member invited to Korea for presentations
John Romano, Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology Program (CSPP) faculty member, gave an invited presentation on prevention applications in education and psychology at the International Conference on Education Research at Seoul National University in Korea. Romano also gave presentations at Ewha Woman’s University and Sogang University, where CSPP alumni serve on the faculty.
Educational psychology professor receives 2013 Discovery Award
Matthew Burns, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, recently received the 2013 Discovery Award for Distinction in Educational Research from the Midwest Instructional Leadership Council. MILC is a non-profit organization focused on improving the education and achievement of all children “by promoting data-based practices in a unified system using evidence-based resources through a collaborative network.” Burns, an internationally known researcher, is the School Psychology Program director and co-director of the Minnesota Center for Reading Research.
PsTL Faculty Co-Lead Workshop Regarding Scholarly Publication
Assistant Professors Mike Stebleton and Rashne Jehangir both of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning were invited to co-lead a workshop for the Academic Advising Network on October 1, 2013. Their session focused on helping academic advisers explore opportunities for scholarly publication, including exploring journal venues and steps towards publication.
PsTL faculty invited to Poland for workshop
Amy Lee (right), department chair and associate professor of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, and Rhiannon Williams, director of First Year Experience Assessment, have been invited by the Institute of Educational Policy at Warsaw School of Economics in Poland to do a workshop on intercultural effectiveness related to student learning outcomes and pedagogy in February 2014. Lee and Williams have a mutual focus regarding excellence, equality, and engagement in the classroom, and their work will be most effective during their time at one of the leading economics universities in Europe come this winter.
Early Education Partnership: U of M and Minneapolis Public Schools
Scott McConnell, professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, recently spoke to the Minnesota Daily about a new partnership taking place between the U of M and Minneapolis Public Schools. McConnell discussed the goals of the partnership, why it’s happening, and the U of M’s role. The new partnership is designed to help increase the graduation rates and success of students by preparing individuals for kindergarten and ensuring success in the formative years of early education.
Adults suffer a summer brain drain just like kids
Professor Scott McConnell was quoted in Star Tribune article: Adults suffer a summer brain drain just like kids.
Exploring Science Education and Executive Function
For many students, the topic of scientific reasoning is rarely considered. After all, scientific reasoning is only for scientists, right? Not exactly. Science is everywhere in society; it’s a part of every person’s daily life. So it makes sense that much of our decision making processes throughout our day reflect scientific reasoning.
CSPP M.A. student, Scott Osthus, is the 2013 recipient of the Melissa Sullivan Award
The Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program is pleased to announce Scott Osthus, an M.A. student in CSPP, is the 2013 recipient of the Melissa Sullivan Award.
The Melissa Sullivan Endowed Internship/Practicum with Children & Families has been established to honor Melissa Sullivan, a CSPP student who graduated with her M.A. degree in 2001. She died unexpectedly in December 2001. The Sullivan family established the endowment in honor of Melissa and to encourage the training of counseling students to work with children and families. The student selected will receive $10,000 during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Over the past decade the Melissa Sullivan Endowed Internship/Practicum with Children & Families has been awarded to six different CSPP students in Counseling. Those students have now graduated and are providing valuable mental health and school counseling services to Minnesota children, adolescents and their families.