Wolf Helps Organize International Conference on School Choice

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Patrick Wolf

More than 100 researchers and policymakers from around the world are expected to attend an international conference that begins today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Patrick Wolf, University of Arkansas professor of education reform, is co-chairing the conference for the second year.

The three keynote speakers at the third annual International School Choice and Reform Academic Conference will be former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, professor Alejandra Mizala of the University of Chile and professor John Witte of the University of Wisconsin – Madison. 

Wolf is presenting a paper titled “School Choice and the Branding of Milwaukee Public Schools” with Albert Cheng, a doctoral student in education policy, and Julie Trivitt, who teaches in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Cheng is presenting a separate paper titled “Taking Attendance: Teacher Absenteeism Across School Types.”

Wolf holds the Twenty-First Century Endowed Chair in School Choice in the College of Education and Health Professions. He also will present a paper titled “I Won the Lottery! The Initial Participant Effects of the Louisiana School Voucher Program.” Jonathon Mills, a doctoral student in education policy, was co-author of the paper.

Wolf will chair a plenary session on “The Many Forms of Parental School Choice.”

Also presenting research at the conference are Bob Maranto, who holds the Twenty-First Century Chair in Leadership; Dirk Van Raemdonck, graduate student coordinator in the department of education reform; and Anna Egalite, a doctoral student in education policy.

Maranto will present his papers, “Can Regulation Trump Choice? A Test of Competing Approaches to School Improvement in Arkansas” and “Not Separate But Not Equal? Exploring Educational Privilege in College Town Public Schools.”

Van Raemdonck will present a paper titled “Prisoners of History: Explaining Why Statist Belgium Has Vouchers While Limited Government America Does Not.” He will also take part in a symposium called “Beyond the Market Metaphor: Linking Choice to Desired Reform Outcomes.”

Egalite will present a paper titled “Means-Tested Vouchers: Impacts on Public School Performance and Racial Integration.”

The conference takes place through Monday at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. More information is available on the conference website.