Education & Society

FSU education research tackles ‘huge problem’: adolescent literacy

Florida State University education researcher Judith Irvin is working to address an urgent problem in the United States. Judith Irvin “Adolescent literacy is a huge problem in our country,” said Irvin, a professor of educational leadership and policy studies in FSU’s College of Education. “Right now there are something like 6 million students who are […]

Study: Media perpetuates unsubstantiated chemical imbalance theory of depression

The theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance is often presented in the media as fact even though there is little scientific evidence to support it, according to a new study co-authored by a Florida State University visiting lecturer. Jeffrey Lacasse, an FSU doctoral candidate and visiting lecturer in the College of Social […]

FSU professors examine methods for boosting teacher quality

What factors enable someone to become an effective teacher? Armed with nearly $1.2 million in research grants, two Florida State University faculty members are seeking answers to that question—and are compiling their findings into a Web site that will help school administrators and other policymakers nationwide create the conditions necessary for students to excel in […]

FSU professor examines jihad in new book, ‘Arguing the Just War in Islam’

“The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies—civilians and military—is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it ….” With that command, a group of Islamic militants led by Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri declared a jihad, or holy war, […]

FSU College of Education to offer joint program with Peace Corps

Florida State University’s College of Education has joined forces with the Peace Corps to develop a graduate program that will incorporate two years of international volunteer service. The Peace Corps Master’s International Program in Education is recruiting its first group of students for the Fall 2008 semester. “The program enables us to offer interested college […]

As new head of National Council of Teachers of English, FSU’s Yancey to focus on writing in a digital age

As the new president of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Kathleen Blake Yancey is leading a charge to update and expand the means by which student writing is taught and assessed in a digital age that has redefined "literacy." Kathleen Blake Yancey Director of Florida State University’s graduate program in rhetoric and […]

Making TraCS: FSU professor helping keep Florida’s roads safe

In dozens of communities throughout Florida, law enforcement officers are finding their jobs have become both safer and more efficient, thanks to a computer software system that a Florida State University researcher is working to distribute and implement statewide. Lisa K. Spainhour, an associate professor of civil engineering in the Florida A&M University-Florida State University […]

FSU professor wins prestigious award for civil rights book

Florida State University Professor Charles Connerly has been recognized by his peers for a book he wrote about city planning and civil rights in Birmingham, Ala. Connerly, the William G. and Budd Bell Professor and chairman of the urban and regional planning department, has received the Paul Davidoff Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools […]

FSU is home to new Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center

It appears likely that Florida will emerge unscathed from this year’s hurricane season, but researchers at Florida State University already are looking ahead. Their goal: to engage in research and promote collaboration with other universities, as well as state and federal agencies, that will address catastrophic storm risk that affects the state’s homeowners and businesses. […]

FSU launches initiative to increase number of math, science teachers

Supported by some $5.15 million in grant money and state matching funds, Florida State University has announced a new initiative designed to give a major boost to math and science education in Florida’s schools. At a news conference on Nov. 14, FSU President T.K. Wetherell described new plans at FSU to recruit more math and […]

FSU joins forces to launch new Web-based tool to help parents spot autism

A baby fascinated with spinning a cup, a toddler flapping his hands, or a preschooler walking on her toes: Parents and even doctors sometimes miss these red flags for autism, but a new online video "glossary" created by a team including FSU Professor Amy Wetherby makes them startlingly clear. Wetherby, the L.L. Schendel Professor of […]

FSU receives federal grants to train speech pathologists

Florida State University’s Department of Communication Disorders has received grants totaling $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Education that will support graduate students preparing to be speech pathologists in underserved areas. “These grants are highly competitive, and we were able to build on the department’s previous successes in order to get them,” said Professor […]