American Educational Research Association meeting, April 12 - 16

Newswise — Education researchers from the Center for Social Organization of Schools at The Johns Hopkins University will present the results of their latest studies at the American Educational Research Association's annual meeting, April 12-16 in San Diego. AERA is an international professional organization focusing on the advancement of educational research and its practical application. Johns Hopkins' contributions to the five-day conference include presentations on the following topics:

* The No Child Left Behind Act's impact on families. Though it doesn't receive a lot of attention, involving families in their children's education is a mandate of this federal law. Steven B. Sheldon, a postdoctoral research scientist, will present a paper he wrote with Katharine M. Gerne of the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins.

* Comprehensive School Reform will be the subject of a panel discussion featuring principal researchers Samuel Stringfield, a member of the Baltimore City school board, and Robert Slavin, principal researcher and founder of the Success For All Foundation.

* Being bilingual is a significant educational advantage for Hispanic students, says postdoctoral fellow Amy Lutz. Hispanic students who are bilingual do as well in school as white English-speaking students of the same socioeconomic class. At the same time, Hispanic students have high rates of dropping out and low rates of college enrollment compared to other groups, Lutz says.