Education

Known for innovative teacher education programs, outstanding faculty, and influential research centers, MSU’s College of Education is home to graduate programs that have ranked No. 1 in the United States 14 years in a row.

MSU is a national leader in education reform, and faculty members are recognized for their expertise in assessing student achievement, conducting policy analyses, and improving standards.

Vocabulary instruction failing U.S. students

MSU Today, Feb 1 2013

Vocabulary instruction in the early years is not challenging enough to prepare students for long-term reading comprehension, argues a study led by a Michigan State University education researcher.

The study, which appears in Elementary School Journal, analyzed commonly used reading curricula in U.S. kindergarten classrooms. It found that, generally, the programs do not teach enough vocabulary words; the words aren’t challenging enough; and not enough focus is given to make sure students understand the meaning of the words.

Why do so many new teachers quit?

MSU News, Nov 13 2012

Surprising new research finds that beginning teachers quit the profession or change schools - not due to a heavy workload or lack of resources - but instead because of the relationship between teachers and their principal.

Peter Youngs, associate professor of educational policy at Michigan State University and lead investigator on the study, said the findings reinforce the need for principals to serve as strong, supportive leaders in their schools.

Study supports move toward common math standards

MSU News, Nov 6 2012

A new study analyzing the previous math standards of each state provides strong support for adoption of common standards, which U.S. students desperately need to keep pace with their counterparts around the globe, a Michigan State University scholar argues.

Forty-six states are implementing the Common Core math and reading standards, which nonetheless have come under fire recently by some researchers and would-be politicians.

'Emergency manager' law may hurt learning

MSU News, Oct 31 2012

Michigan's emergency manager law gives individuals sweeping power over financially troubled public school districts. But in a new study Michigan State University researchers say the law does not address student learning and could even hurt academic performance in high-need communities.

Community colleges becoming more globally focused

MSU News, Oct 30 2012

Community colleges in the United States have made huge strides since 2008 in cultivating a global workforce, according to a first-of-its-kind study co-led by a Michigan State University researcher.

In 2008, about 51 percent of community colleges offered a basic course in international business. Four years later that number has jumped to 85 percent, said Tomas Hult, director of MSU’s International Business Center, who led the study with Lansing Community College professor William Motz.

Twitter improves student learning

MSU News, Oct 17 2012

Twitter, the 140-character social-networking site, is emerging as a literary format that is improving student learning, a new study argues.

Christine Greenhow, assistant professor of education at Michigan State University, found that college students who tweet as part of their instruction are more engaged with the course content and with the teacher and other students, and have higher grades.

India’s public school students on par with private students

MSU News, Oct 11 2012

Contrary to past research, private school students in India do not outperform their counterparts in public schools, finds a new study by a Michigan State University education researcher.

The study challenges the claim that private schools are superior – a hot issue in India and other developing countries that are expanding K-12 educational offerings. During the past decade, some 40 million children have entered India’s education system, giving rise to a growth in privately run schools.

Are liberal arts colleges disappearing?

MSU News, Oct 10 2012

Liberal arts colleges are increasingly redefining their historical missions or sometimes disappearing altogether - a trend that threatens to diminish America’s renowned higher education system, argues a study co-authored by a Michigan State University scholar.

Of the 212 liberal arts colleges identified in a landmark 1990 study, only 130 remain in their traditional form - a 39 percent reduction, according to the new research.

GE Foundation grant to fund MSU math study

MSU News, Aug 1 2012

An MSU education scholar will use a $1 million grant from the GE Foundation as he studies a major effort to improve math education -- the implementation of new common standards.

William Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor in the College of Education, will expand his research on the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM).

Americans support local control of schools

MSU News, Jul 17 2012

Despite criticism that local school boards are “dinosaurs” that need to be replaced, Americans support local control of their schools, Michigan State University education scholars argue in a new paper.

The public believes that all three levels of government -- local, state and federal -- should be involved in education policy and that local officials should be in charge of day-to-day operations of the schools, said Rebecca Jacobsen, lead researcher on the project.