The Madison Education Partnership (MEP) presents the first annual research symposium. In this symposium, researchers from MEP and the University will present on a wide range of research programs thematically focused on the Madison Metropolitan School District's four-year-old kindergarten program. The session includes a conversation with MMSD's new Director of Early Childhood Education, Culleen Witthuhn about moving the needle on 4K in MMSD. Open to the public, participants will learn about the research and engage with the researchers and district leadership as they discuss thier finidings and implications of this research.

Agenda:

Introduction

4:00pm-4:20pm Jennifer Cheatham, MMSD Superintendent, Robert Mathieu, Director of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research and Culleen Witthuhn, MMSD Director of Early Childhood Education

 

"What have we learned about MMSD 4K?"

4:20pm – 4:35pm “Enhancing Equity through 4K”, Eric Grodsky, UW-Madison Professor of Sociology & Educational Policy Studies

4:35pm – 4:50pm “Family Engagement in Madison’s 4K Program: Implications for Children’s School Readiness”, Alejandra Ros Pilarz, UW-Madison Assistant Professor of Social Work

4:50pm – 5:05pm “Understanding, Measuring & Assessing the Development of Interpersonal Skills in 4K”, Kristin Shutts & Charles Kalish, UW-Madison Associate Professor of Psychology and Professor of Educational Psychology

5:05pm – 5:20pm “MMSD 4K: Pathways to Resilience for Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness”, Travis Wright, UW-Madison Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology 

5:20pm – 5:30pm Audience Q&A

5:20pm-5:45pm Break

 

How do we continue to grow the MMSD 4K Program?

5:45pm – 6:45pm Discussion of evidence-based practices to ensure developmentally appropriate 4K practice facilitated by MMSD Director of Early Childhood Education, Culleen Witthuhn 

 

Refreshments and Closing

6:45pm – 7:20pm Participant meet and greet – Hors D’oeuvres and hosted bar

7:20pm – 7:30pm Session closing with the Directors’ of the Madison Education Partnership