Since 2005, the Academy for Educational Studies has hosted an annual conference. The Critical Questions in Education conference is a unique event, inviting dialogue and presentations oriented around a theme question (or related theme questions). The idea is to create an intimate environment where participants can come to think about a focused topic. The conference is held in the fall, usually toward the end of October.
Are traditional teacher education programs preparing quality teachers?
How should we evaluate teachers, school administrators, or professors?
Keynote speaker: TBA
2012
Why do so many people want to “fix” our public schools? Are they really that bad? If so, why?
Is the current round of educational reform—tenure reform, standardized testing, merit pay, etc.—well-aimed or wrong-headed? Are there better reforms to offer?
Are we asking the wrong questions about how to improve education? Can educational foundations help?
Keynote speaker:
Walter Feinberg, University of Illinois
2011
Digital media and our children: What has been lost or gained?
Will eliminating tenure ruin teaching or reinvigorate it?
Keynote speaker:
Mark Bauerlein, author of The Dumbest Generation
2010
How Should We Prepare New Teachers?
Keynote speaker:
Philip W. Jackson, University of Chicago
2009
Has higher education lost its soul? What ideas in education are worth keeping, and which ones ought to be thrown out?
Keynote speakers:
Christopher Lucas, University of Arkansas
Daniel Kaufman, Missouri State University
2008
Rethinking education: Is it time for radical change in the public schools?
Keynote speakers:
Kieran Egan, Simon Fraser University
Paul Theobald, Buffalo State University
2007
What should the role of religion be in 21st century public schools?
Keynote speakers:
Nel Noddings, Stanford University (emeritus)
Jordan Lorence, Alliance Defense Fund
T. Jeremy Gunn, ACLU
2006
Why do kids hate school?
Keynote speakers:
Philip Cusick, Michigan State University
Susan Ohanian
David Owen, Iowa State University (emeritus)
2005
How has education changed in the last hundred years?
Keynote speaker:
Christopher Lucas, University of Arkansas