Policy analyst to explore the politics of K–12 education

A free public address by Michael W. Kirst, an education professor and policy analyst at Stanford University, will highlight the annual celebration of American Education Week at the School of Education.

Kirst will speak on “The Politics of American Education” on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; no tickets are required.

In his keynote address, Kirst will take a close look at federal and state policies developed over the years to improve K–12 schools, and will analyze the No Child Left Behind Act as it relates to achievement and funding issues. He also will talk about the future of school reform in Wisconsin and across the nation.

Kirst has years of personal experience in government education policymaking. Before joining the Stanford University faculty in 1969, he held several positions with the federal government, including director of program planning and evaluation for the Bureau of Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Office of Education (now the U.S. Department of Education).

At Stanford, Kirst is a professor of education and business administration and co-director of Policy Analysis for California Education, a consortium of California universities that researches education issues and offers practical recommendations to state policymakers. He has served as president of the California State Board of Education and has authored 10 books, including “Governing Public Schools: New Times, New Requirements,” which discusses a new role for school boards.

American Education Week, Nov. 14-20, is a nationwide celebration of K-12 schools. Other events sponsored by the School of Education include a free public lecture on “The Immigrant Experience” by children’s book author Francisco Jiménez on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the On Wisconsin Room of the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St.

For a complete list of events, visit the School of Education’s Web site or call (608) 265-7875.