220A.2 sec. 001 - Education Policy Research Action Practicum (Fall 2024)
Instructor: Maria Echaveste
Instructor: Christopher Edley (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person
Course End: December 05, 2024
Class Number: 32898
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 6
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 8
As of: 04/30 11:57 PM
The social mission of the EPRAC is to promote educational equity and excellence for disadvantaged PreK–12 students in California, with particular focus on students and communities segregated by class, color, or language. Its teaching mission will be professional preparation of students for work as lawyers and/or analysts who can use evidence and policy research, together with input from experts and affected communities: to craft proposals for statutory, regulatory, and implementation reforms; and to prepare useful work products for deci-sion-makers and advocates who are interested in systemic responses to complex problems. EPRAC will not involve direct legal services for individuals but will instead involve public interest organizations and officials as de facto clients. Subject to student interests, we have tentatively chosen three problems for Fall 2024:
• Equity for English language learners. Statutes and (arguably) state constitutions establish a right to equal and effective educational opportunity, but enforcement is weak, budgets are tight, and teacher shortages persist. This is a continuing crisis for education and civil rights.
• Mental health and related services. Progress in brain sciences now makes clear the mechanisms by which learning and child development are impeded by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) — including the consequences of exposure to racism and aspects of deep poverty. Mental health and related services make a tremendous difference for students, but our failure to adopt needed measures is a major factor in the persistence of racial and class disparities.
• Governance and accountability. Within the general challenge of accountability for equity and excellence, California requires public participation in the annual planning process of each of 1,000 school districts. Federal law requires states to focus resources on schools and districts most in need of improvement. These requirements are not working.
There will be tasks and deliverables designed for completion within one semester by a small team or individual under the direct supervision of the instructors. There will be pre-existing quantitative or qualitative research, which students will learn to use in shaping policy prescriptions that have a law reform framework, be it legislation, regulation, or litigation.
Cross-registrants from the Berkeley Schools of Public Policy, Education, and Public Health are welcome. This practicum may be taken for 3 or 4 units in addition to the required 1-credit practicum seminar.
|
Requirements Satisfaction:
|
Exam Notes: (None) Class requires a series of papers, assignments, or presentations throughout the semester
Course Category: Public Law and Policy
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Practicums
Race and Law
Social Justice and Public Interest
If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment to this page.
Readers:
No reader.
Books:
Instructor has indicated that no books will be assigned.