SOE Presents at 2024 AERA Annual Meeting
School of Education (SOE) EdD programalum Dr. Francesca Smith,'23, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award by the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group (SIG 12) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The award is her second prestigious honor for the dissertation after winning the 2023 Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Dissertation in Practice of the Year Award.
"At my dissertation defense last year, my mom shared with me for the first time that when she was searching for a kindergarten program to enroll me in- as she and my dad were recent immigrants from Mexico - she was told by a school administrator that sheneeds to stop speaking to me in Spanish if she wanted me to enroll and succeed in their program," Smith reflected during her acceptance speech at AERA's 2024 Annual Meeting. "Thankfully, she did not enroll me there, and we continued to speak Spanish at home. Now, as a multilingual adult and educator, it's an honor to have my work acknowledged and share this space with so many inspiring individuals advocating for the gift of bilingual education and the assets of multilingualism."
Titled “Asset-Based Biliteracy: Recentering Emergent BilingualStudents in Dual Language English Reading Instruction,” the dissertation focuses on the topic of biliteracy, which Colorín Colorado, an educational service of the Washington Educational Telecommunications Association (WETA), defines as “the ability to effectively communicate or understand written thoughts and ideas through the grammatical systems, vocabularies, and written symbols of two different languages.”
A key consideration for her research agenda was whether dual-language schools in the U.S. – which attract students with linguistic, racial, and socioeconomic privilege – are intentionally supporting the specific needs and assets of emergent bilingual (EB) students from Latinx families.
The dissertation’s principal research examined how early intervention in a first-grade dual-language classroom could refocus EB students via both structured literacy instruction and parent partnership using cultural practices and bodies of knowledge that are embedded in the daily practices and routines of families, also known as funds of knowledge.
“The power of dual-language education is that students learn to read in two languages, which is a gift in and of itself, but is a particularly powerful gift for students from Latinx immigrant backgrounds and Spanish-speaking homes,” Smith said in 2023. “These students can use this gift to sustain their cultural roots but also to gain a research-proven academic advantage through learning in their native language. Maintaining this promise of dual-language education for equity and empowerment was at the center of my work.”
SIG 12 was exceptionally moved by Smith’s findings: an 11-week exploration of “how a teacher could build upon EB students’ Spanish language and literacy competencies within small-group English instruction at the beginning of their formal bilingual education” resulted in quantitative findings showing “that grounding early English reading instruction in the transfer and non-transfer of Spanish literacy skills supported students’ progress toward grade-level expectations for English decoding and letter sound knowledge” the group reported, among other significant findings.
According to aera.net, SIG 12 seeks to “build community andthe exchange of information regardingissues related to the education of multilingual learners; provide a variety of formats for examiningcurrent perspectives, theories, trends, and topics related tobilingual education; encourage qualitative and quantitative, basic, applied, and policy research in the area of bilingualeducation; and promote innovative methods and inclusiveresearch in bilingual education and providea forum for innovative approaches in this field ofinquiry.”
"I am so grateful to the Bilingual Education Research SIG's recognition and the opportunity to connect with so many brilliant leaders in the bilingual education field at AERA. At past AERA meetingsand, specifically, at the Bilingual Education Research presentations, I was able to connect with severalscholarswho provided the foundations of my research. It was exciting to be a part of the conversations in the field and have my work validated in that space," Smith said. "I also want expresssinceregratitude to the members ofmy dissertation committee, Alida Anderson, Katarina Brito, and Amelia Tseng,as well as to the rest of my EdD and SOEcommunity at American University."
SOE’s EdD in Education Policy and Leadership is becoming well-known in the field of education’s academic circles for its acclaimed award-winning dissertations. In addition to Dr. Smith’s wins, last year, program alum Dr. Cheyenne E. Batista, '22, received Outstanding Dissertation awards from both AERA (2023, Division A) and CPED (2022) for her dissertation, “’I Am Not Scary. I Am Strong. There’s a Difference.’ Disrupting Misogynoir and Transforming Interpersonal Conflict for Black Women Education Leaders: A Multiple Case Study.”
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SOE Research Highlighted at 2024 AERA Annual MeetingSOE Faculty, Students, and Staff Presented
American University's School of Education was significantly representedamong the 2,500 sessions that took place attheAmerican Educational Research Association's (AERA) 2024 Annual Meetingin Philadelphia April 11-14. Themed "Dismantling Racial Injustice and Constructing Educational Possibilities: A Call to Action," the meeting was held entirely in-person this year.
Presentations from SOE faculty included(view theentire program here):
Thursday, April 11
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer, "" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 110A
Dr. Heather Hairston,Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, "The Language of Black Girls' Love Lessons: Black Girls’ Teachings on Love through Literacy" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 3, Room 307
Dr. Brian McGowan, Provost Associate Professor (pictured above, left),"Toward a Conceptualization of Mentoring for Black People in STEM: A Multigenerational-Multidirectional Approach" in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 112A
10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Dr. Rodney K. Hopson,Acting Co-Dean and Professor, "Teaching and Learning Black Studies: Towards an Evidence-Based Model for Curricular and Cultural Transformation in U.S. Schools and Systems" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201B
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Dr. Alida Anderson,Professor, "Identifying Sources of Preservice Teachers' Dyslexia Knowledge to Guide Teacher Education" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104B
Dr. Emily G.Peterson, Assistant Professor (pictured above, left), "The Development of High School Students’ Spatial Thinking: Spatial Education and Individual Differences" in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall A
Dr. Asia S. Thomas Uzomba,Postdoctoral Fellow, "Where the Mirror Starts to Crack: Anna Julia Cooper, Womanist Teaching, and Sustainable Teacher Education" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104A
4:20-5:50 p.m.
Master of Arts in Teaching studentsMaryBeth Burst, James Ling, Nicole Jutras,Patrick Wai, Joshua Weisbard (pictured together, below)presentedas part of the Round Table discussion "Centering Community in Formative Secondary Geometry and Statistics Lessons" facilitated byDr. DeepaSrikantaiah,Adjunct Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, far right), in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Assistant ProfessorDr. Kenjus Watsonwas a panelist for the discussion ""in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 119B
Friday, April 12
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Antonio L. Ellis, Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director of the Institute on Education Equity and Justice (pictured below, far right), and Dr. Phelton C.Moss, Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, second from right), "Advocacy for Speech- and Language-Impaired Students of Color: Uncovering the Silence" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Dr. Toks S. Fashola,Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Undergraduate Teaching Assistants and STEM Gateway Courses in the Historically Black College and University Setting" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
Dr. Eugene Pringle, Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured above, far left), "Teacher Preparation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Transformative Incubators of Social Activism" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
11:25 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer, chaired"Equity Focused Leadership Possibilities and Practices" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 409
Dr. Robert Shand, Assistant Professor (pictured above),Dr. kecia hayes,Senior Professorial Lecturer, andDr. Reuben Jacobson,Director of Education Policy and Leadership Program and Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Reimagining Whole-School Reform: The Intersection of Community Schools and School Turnaround" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Franklin 10
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Danielle G. Sodani,Director of theInstitute for Innovation in Education (pictured below, far right), Dr. Lauren M. Shea, Research AssistantProfessor-in Residence (pictured below, far left), Anne M. Karabell,Instructor, andDr. Sarah Irvine Belson,Professor,"Dual and Multi-Languages: How Teachers, Parents and Communities can Build Bridges" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 107A
4:55-6:25 p.m.
Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson,Professor, andDanielle G. Sodani,Director of theInstitute for Innovation in Education,"Literacy Instruction Innovation in Special Education" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
5:30-7:00p.m.
SOE Receptionat AERA 2024 - Sonesta Philadelphia Riddenhouse Square Hotel
6:45-8:15 p.m.
Dr. Francesca Smith, EdD '23, received the Outstanding Dissertation Award at the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group business meeting- Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 109B
Saturday, April 13
7:45-9:15 a.m.
Dr. Jasmine Rogers,Adjunct Instructor, "An Exploration of Black Language in Structured Literacy Lessons" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 111B
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Secular School Values Impact Muslim Student Experiences" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 404
Dr. Sung Ryung Lyu,Assistant Professor (pictured above, right), "Transformative Identity Formation: A Collaborative Autoethnographic Exploration of Womxn of Color Researchers' Experiences in Higher Education" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 104B
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Dr. Toks S. Fashola,Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Quantitative Research Shapes Educational Policy and Practice: Are You In?" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204 AB
Dr. Rodney K. Hopson, Acting Co-Dean and Professor, chaired"The 27th Conversations With Senior Scholars on Advancing Research and Professional Development Related to Black Education" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204 AB
Dr. Sung Ryung Lyu,Assistant Professor, "Empowering Educators: The Power of Action Research in Teacher Development, Growth, and Transformation" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Level 4, Room 404
4:55-6:25 p.m.
AERA President and SOE Advisory Board memberDr. Tyrone Howard (pictured above)delivered the AERA Presidential Address, "" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: Upper Grand Hall, Ballroom AB
6:45-8:15 p.m.
Dr. Antonio L. Ellis,Senior Professorial Lecturer / Book Signing of"" at thePhiladelphia Marriott Downtown; Floor: Level 4, Franklin 2 Division G Business Meeting / Hosted by Teachers College Press
Sunday, April 14
7:45-9:15 a.m.
Dr. Emily G. Peterson, Assistant Professor, "Accect and Motivation in Mathematics Education" in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 108A
Dr. Brian McGowan, Provost Associate Professor, "Mentoring Relationships and Black People in STEM" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 200, Room 201B
Dr. Robert Shand,Assistant Professor, chaired"Analyses of School Finance Equity and the Impact of Resources in the U.S. and Abroad" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
9:35-11:05 a.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer, "Muslim Student Leaders Disrupt Anti-Muslim Racisms" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 117
Dr. William N.Thomas IV,Director of EdD Program andProfessorial Lecturer, chaired"Stakeholder Perspectives in Charter Schools" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
11:25 a.m.-12:55 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer (pictured below, far left), discussant for "Social Justice Beliefs and Actions" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 118A
1:15-2:45 p.m.
Dr. Brian McGowan,Provost Associate Professor,presented a paper byDr. Corbin M. Campbell,Acting Co-Dean and Professor"Systemic Levers that Support Broad-Scale Institutional Change for Equity-Based Teaching: An Organizational Landscape Analysis" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 103A
Dr. Emily G. Peterson, Assistant Professor, chaired"Emotions and Motivation in Technology-Based Environments" in thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, Room 108B
3:05-4:35 p.m.
Dr. Amaarah DeCuir,Senior Professorial Lecturer, andDr. William N. Thomas IV,Director of EdD Program andProfessorial Lecturer (pictured below), "An Inaugural Faculty Fellowship: A Collaborative Action Research Study of Faculty-Led Antiracist Programming" at thePennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Second Floor, Exhibit Hall B
View theentire program here.
TheAERA Annual Meetingis the largest gathering of scholarsin the field of education research, with typically 13,000 of its 24,000 members in attendance. It is an event to showcase groundbreaking, innovative studies in a diverse array of areas: from early education through higher education, from digital learning to second language literacy. Ideas and data are presented and discussed that will shape tomorrow’s education practices and policies, and where to connect with leading thinkers from the U.S. and around the world.
Photographs by Lumumba Dunduza