Stanford University School of Education

August 2009

sponsored by the
American Sociological Association Section on Education

August 7, 2009
Hilton Hotel, 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco

SECTION CHAIR:
Claudia Buchmann, Ohio State University

ORGANIZERS:
Elizabeth A. Armstrong, University of Michigan
Amy J. Binder, University of California-San Diego
Mitchell L. Stevens, Stanford University

This conference challenges prominent young and mid-career scholars to critically reconsider why sociologists study schools and educational processes; how the study of schools is generative for sociology generally; and how sociology can be made more useful for education policy.

Registration
for this event is now closed.

Schedule of Events:

9:30-10:00		Coffee and Registration Continental Rooms 1-3
10:00-10:15		Welcome Continental Rooms 1-3 Claudia Buchmann, Ohio State University (Section Chair)
10:15-11:15		Plenary: Why Study Schools and Educational Processes? Introduction: Elizabeth Armstrong, University of Michigan Panelists: Prudence Carter, Stanford University Cynthia Feliciano, University of California, Irvine Stephen Morgan, Cornell University C.J. Pascoe, Colorado College
11:15-11:30		Transition
11:30-12:30		Workshops 1. Why Study Schools? Continuing the Conversation Continental Rooms 1-3 This workshop continues the exchange begun in the plenary session. Convener: Mitchell Stevens 2. Using Sociology To Inform State and Federal Education Policy Union Square Rooms 17-18 This session provides examples of how and under what circumstances sociologists of education have the opportunity to inform, shape, and even craft state and federal educational policy. It also offers advice on how to engage with policy and research organizations as an academic. Conveners: Sara Goldrick-Rab & Michal Kurlaender 3. Developing Publications from Dissertations Union Square Rooms 19-20 This session covers such issues as carving articles out of dissertations; pacing articles and books; turning a dissertation into a book; and thinking about these issues while conceiving and writing a dissertation. Convener: Dennis Condron & Amanda Lewis
12:30-2:00		Mentoring Lunch Continental Rooms 1-3 Senior and mid-career scholars will be seated with doctoral students according to shared interests and expertise.
2:00-3:00		Workshops 4. The Present and Future of Sociology of Education Continental Rooms 1-3 Convener: David Bills, Editor, Sociology of Education 5. Education and Network Research Union Square Rooms 17-18 Network analysis is one of the most exciting areas of methodological innovation in the social sciences. Applied to the study of education, network analysis may challenge fundamental assumptions of the stratification tradition and the schooling process. Educational researchers who have used educational settings and data as raw materials for network research will discuss the challenges and opportunities of these approaches. Conveners: Dan McFarland, Craig Rawlings & David Diehl 6. Finding work as an educational sociologist Union Square Rooms 19-20 This session will cover the processes of getting and keeping jobs doing educational sociology in education schools, policy schools, research institutes (such as the American Institutes for Research, AIR) and sociology departments.
3:00-3:30		Break
3:30-5:00		Plenary: Sociologists and School Reform Continental Rooms 1-3 Introduction: Amy Binder, University of California, San Diego The style and substance of education reform was one of the key issues animating members of the Obama transition team in its selection of a new Secretary of Education. Yet most sociologists of education have failed to place today’s most talked-about reform models at the top of their research agendas. This panel challenges us to redress this oversight. Participants will present empirical research on school reform—looking at both the history of school reform efforts in the U.S. and the consequences of the implementation of NCLB and other accountability policies over the past decade. They may also speculate on the implications of the new Presidential administration for national education policy. Panelists: Richard Arum, New York University Jal Mehta, Harvard University Tom Toch, Executive Director, Independent Schools of Greater Washington (DC) Pamela Barnhouse Walters, Indiana University
5:00–5:15		Concluding Remarks: Brian Powell, Chair-Elect, ASA Section on Education
5:15-6:30		Reception Continental Rooms 1-3

Registration for faculty and independent scholars:

Advanced registration is required. Space is limited. Please register early. Registration fee of $50 includes lunch and coffee service.

Registration and fee waiver application for graduate students:

Fee waivers are available to a limited number of doctoral students.

Register and apply for the graduate student fee waiver.