December 17, 2013

Professor wins award for contributions to education policy for equity

Assistant professor of educational administration Sue Feldman has received the E. Roberts Stephens Award for “outstanding academic accomplishments and contributions to education.” The award was granted for research studying the implementation of data coaching across education service districts in Washington State.

Assistant professor of educational administration Sue Feldman has received the E. Roberts Stephens Award for “outstanding academic accomplishments and contributions to education.” The prize is awarded by the Association of Educational Service Agencies and honors researchers whose work supports educational service agencies (ESAs). Most states in the country utilize some form of regional educational administration office to support the implementation of state education policy and programs. The award was granted based on recent work for the network of nine ESAs in Washington State studying the implementation of data coaching across the state.

Feldman began working with ESAs in Washington State in 2002 as a regional administrator for school improvement. After completing her PhD in Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Washington she was invited to start a research center in Education Service District 112, located in Vancouver, Washington. The center’s goal was to provide research support to large and small school districts throughout the region. In Washington State, ESAs share the vision of ensuring equal access to high quality learning experiences for all students, no matter where they go to school. The research center added capacity to accomplishing this goal by providing research expertise to all school leaders, regardless of the size of their school or district.

Drawing on her own research devoted to learning-focused leadership, Feldman encouraged school and school district leaders to inquire into their own policy and program implementation as a central feature of their leadership.

Feldman joined the faculty of the graduate school in January 2013. She continues to work with ESAs as she pursues a research agenda focused on designing and implementing school system policies that support equity. Learn more about Sue Feldman.