Historic Enrollment for College of Education, University of Illinois for Fall 2024

The first-year class for the College of Education was the largest since 1974, with 200 students beginning their college careers in Education. The class was also historic in the number of students from underrepresented populations, now making up 30% of the College's undergraduate students.

Building Schools that Support Students

When the Chicago School Board voted to remove school resource officers from their schools for the first time in 1966, it was met with skepticism. However, research from Rebecca Hinze-Pifer, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research, and the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children's Hospital found that there would be no ill effects on student well-being and that the resources used on the SROs could be used in ways to improve outcomes for students.

Introducing Our New Faculty for 2024-25

This year, the College of Education added sixteen faculty members bringing new expertise and enhancing our capacity for research and mentorship for all students.

Education at Illinois Leaders Create Licensure Recommendations for K-12 Teachers on Trauma-Informed Practices

The State of Illinois passed a bill in 2023 that required teacher institutes to provide instruction on trauma-informed practices. Education scholars Lynn Burdick and Catherine Corr have been studying the subject for years and were selected to help develop licensure recommendations for this increasingly popular teaching practice.

James D. Anderson to Receive Honorary Degree at 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Dean Emeritus Anderson was honored with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science and Letters at the University Main Commencement on Saturday May, 11. "We can say with utmost confidence that we have never met a person more committed to diversity or the advancement of opportunity and excellence than Dr. James D. Anderson."

Ensuring High Quality Supports for Early Intervention Families in Illinois

Thousands of families use early intervention specialists in Illinois daily. The Early Intervention Training Program  not only trains those early intervention professionals, but provides resources for technical assistance, mentorship, leadership development and more. 

Rochelle Gutiérrez Named a 2024 AERA Fellow

The American Educational Research Association named Curriculum & Instruction professor Rochelle Gutiérrez one of 24 international scholars selected as a 2024 AERA Fellow. Gutiérrez was inducted as an in April, becoming the ninth Education at Illinois faculty member to be honored.

How to Bring Justice and Active Learning Front and Center in Social Studies

In 2022, the Illinois State Board of Education and the University of Illinois launched, I3: Inclusive, Inquiry-Based Social Studies for Illinois. The five-year project aims to create and implement professional learning for every K-12 social studies teacher in Illinois, and has thrived under founder Asif Wilson.

'I See—and Hear—You': How to Create Culturally Responsive Classrooms

Marlee Bunch spent years teaching in classrooms advocating for students. Now, she is working to help other educators do the same. Her recently published book helps educators navigate best practices to center marginalized voices and perspectives in learning spaces.

Employers Are Souring On Ivy League Grads, While These 'New Ivies' Ascend

Forbes Magazine has named the University of Illinois as one of it's 'public ivies' in 2024 with 42% saying they are more likely to hire public university grads and 37% saying they are more likely to hire grads of non-Ivy League private colleges than five years ago. The magazine specifically mentioned the university's CS+ X programs that allow students to combine computer science with other studies like education.