The new director for the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, which is in the University of Wisconsin School of Education, was announced Friday.
UW professor of sociology and educational policy Adam Gamoran, who acted as interim director since August, will be responsible to lead an office that primarily identifies and seeks new research and grant opportunities.
Charles Read, dean of the School of Education, said Gamoran was selected because he has distinguished himself as a researcher and he has previous leadership experience in the school of sociology.
“[Gamoran] has done very interesting research … The first quality [of director] is to be an outstanding researcher,” Read said.
According to Read, the selection process was lengthy and included several candidates because he originally thought Gamoran would not be interested in the job. Also, Gamoran was originally co-chair of the search committee.
“Throughout the process, people said to [both of us] they thought he would make a very good director,” Read said, adding when he expressed interest, he was “very pleased.”
Many involved in the research believe it is currently an important time in educational research.
“It’s an honor to lead WCER at such an important time in the development of education research,” Gamoran said in a UW release. “The No Child Left Behind Act calls for schools to use programs and practices that are based on sound research evidence, and WCER scholars can play a leading role in providing such evidence for educators across Wisconsin and the Nation.”
No Child Left Behind is connected to WCER’s research because it puts pressures on schools and districts to demonstrate improvement in achievement for a wide variety of student subgroups, according to Read.
“There’s a very fundamental challenge to ensure from each subgroup improve achievement from year to year … to fulfill expectations of No Child Left Behind,” Read said.
The WCER continually receives many competitive research grants from federal and other sources, Read added.
“[Gamoran’s] first challenge is to continue to be competitive for external funding. We compete with every other major university for grants,” he said. “[Gamoran must] take something that is functioning well and continue it.”
Read said Gamoran successfully integrates students and faculty from departments and disciplines of study across campus to bring people together in their research.
Gamoran was unavailable for comment by press time.
