As the Nov. 4 election draws near, education has become a hot-button issue, particularly in the Michigan gubernatorial battle between Republican incumbent Rick Snyder and Democratic challenger Mark Schauer.
Michigan State University experts are available to discuss key education topics under debate, including school funding, charter schools and teacher evaluations.
MSU scholars can also talk about election issues ranging from transportation to the economy.
EDUCATION
Robert Floden, a University Distinguished Professor of education who co-directs MSU’s Education Policy Center, can discuss school finance, teacher evaluations and more. K-12 funding is one of the biggest points of contention between Snyder and Schauer. Floden can be reached at (517) 355-3486 and floden@msu.edu.
Rebecca Jacobsen, associate professor of teacher education and associate director of the Education Policy Center, can speak to school accountability and charter schools – another major issue in the governor’s race. In her research, she has explored whether the public supports local control of schools and the relevance of school boards. Jacobsen can be reached at (517) 353-1993 and rjacobs@msu.edu.
William Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor of education and statistics, is an expert in math and science education testing, Common Core and the effects of curriculum on academic achievement. Republican Terri Lynn Land, who’s running for U.S. Senate against Democrat Gary Peters, recently created waves when she came out in opposition to the Common Core standards for math and language arts. Schmidt, who's also co-director of the Education Policy Center, can be reached at (517) 353-0701 and bschmidt@msu.edu.
Sarah Reckhow, assistant professor of political science, studies education policy as well as state and urban politics. Reckhow was recently named one of the most influential education scholars in the nation, along with Schmidt, Jacobsen and three other MSU scholars. Reckhow can be reached at (517) 432-0028 and reckhow@msu.edu.
Joshua Cowen, associate professor of teacher education, can discuss school choice, school vouchers, teacher unions, teacher quality, teacher evaluation and other education policy issues. His recent research investigated union membership in schools and the effect of public oversight on voucher schools. Cowen can be reached at (517) 355-2215 or jcowen@msu.edu.
ECONOMY, ROAD FUNDING, POLITICS
Charles Ballard is professor of economics and director of MSU’s quarterly State of the State Survey. Nationally recognized as a leading authority on the Michigan economy, Ballard can speak to everything from unemployment to consumer confidence to the approval ratings of political leaders. Ballard can be reached at (517) 353-2961 and ballard@msu.edu.
Ken Boyer, professor of economics, can discuss highway and public transportation funding and transportation economics. Experts say a minimum of $1.2 billion in annual funding is needed to avoid drastic deterioration of Michigan’s already crumbling roads and bridges, and both Snyder and Schauer say the issue is a priority. Boyer said fixing Michigan's long-term road-funding situation could be a challenge due to the state's comparatively low gas and diesel taxes, and the fact that new cars are increasingly more fuel efficient. Boyer can be reached at (517) 353-9088 or boyerkd@msu.edu.
Matt Grossmann, associate professor of political science, is an expert on state and national politics and elections, policymaking and the effect of special interest groups. Grossmann’s research on why Democrats and Republicans don’t understand each other was recently covered in the national media. He can be reached at (517) 355-7655 or grossm63@msu.edu.
Daniel Bergan is associate professor of communication with a joint appointment in James Madison College. His recent research looked at whether citizen contacts can affect legislative voting. “Citizens can influence policy when they contact their elected officials,” Bergan said. “This is not just feel-good rhetoric: There is now rigorous research to support this claim.” He also explores the structure of political attitudes, particularly the sources of partisan polarization in the public. Bergan can be reached at (517) 432-1469 and bergan@msu.edu.