21st Century Scholar

In my last blog post, I shared a major milestone for the Collegeology project: we launched the beta version of Mission:Admission—the Facebook game we have been working on for the past three years. My invitation extended still stands—please log on and play. It has been such fun over the last week hearing back from students [...]

Last week, I discussed the difference between deficit and surplus perspectives in education. A surplus of cultures exists in many low-income neighborhoods. And yet, current research, policy, and practice often assume a deficit perspective. I argued, instead, that scholars, policymakers, and practitioners ought to consider a surplus perspective. Such a perspective refocuses discussions from what [...]

I thought it might be useful to highlight some of the issues the AERA Council is tackling over the next year. I was fortunate to have Arnetha Ball precede me as president who encouraged me to plan ahead. We have three task forces already up and running. One of them, chaired by Dorothy Espalage and [...]

A young man arrived in the United States and moved with his family to one of the poorest sections of Los Angeles. The violence and poverty that surrounded him was a surprise. In his application for a scholarship to Stanford University he wrote, “I thought America was a land of riches and pleasures because of [...]

In education, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers often espouse a deficit cultural perspective to explain academic success and failure; students who succeed exemplify a mainstream culture whereas students who fail represent an oppositional culture. Unfortunately, by “blaming the victim,” such arguments echo previous culture of poverty debates, reinforce stereotypes, and do little to move us forward. [...]

Vancouver has come and gone, and I am now home to catch my breath for a moment before the school year comes to a close. While the conference is still fresh in our minds I’d like to offer a request and invitation: Send us ten sentences. Write five sentences about what you liked at the [...]

I have been mulling over a question posed to me at this past AERA meeting. A well-respected scholar, after hearing about the college access games we are developing, expressed doubt over the positive effects of a game where players role play the college preparation process. “What you are saying,” he shared, “is like me saying [...]

Last week, I recounted the amazing story of Diane, an undocumented first-generation college-goer. If Diane’s story illustrates the promise of higher education, my discussion today highlights the peril of blocked access and leveled aspirations. I have been privileged to chronicle a critical moment in the lives of teenagers: the senior year in high school. The [...]

I dedicate this blog entry to my fellow educators working with high school seniors, and those who are conducting research to understand college readiness. Thank you! The arrival of spring usually brings about an interesting phenomenon in high schools, which many have referenced, experienced, or coached students out of—senioritis. Educators and school leaders often struggle [...]

I imagine it takes an extreme amount of courage to migrate from one country to another, to leave your wife and three daughters for the uncertain promise of a better job and more opportunity. That is what Diane’s father did. He immigrated to Los Angeles, obtained a manufacturing job, learned English, and saved money. He [...]