Assistant Professor Emily Penner named William T. Grant Scholars Program finalist

​The William T. Grant Foundation named Assistant Professor Emily Penner one of ten finalists for the 2021 William T. Grant Scholars Program.
 
The program, which supports career development for promising early-career researchers, selected Penner from 44 applicants nationwide. Applicants, who are nominated by their institution, are required to propose five-year research and mentoring plans designed to expand their skills and knowledge.
 
Penner proposed to extend her prior work examining high school ethnic studies curricula by identifying high-leverage ethnic studies pedagogical strategies and examining how districts identify and support new ethnic studies teachers.
 
“This work is designed to unpack some of the elements of districts’ efforts to scale up ethnic studies programs,” Penner said. “Findings will support the development and expansion of ethnic studies programs in California and across the country.” 

Penner studies educational inequality and policy, and considers the ways that policies, districts, schools, teachers, peers, and parents can contribute to or ameliorate educational inequality. She is currently involved in projects examining teacher recruitment and retention in constrained labor and housing markets, how school sorting processes affect student opportunities to learn, and how educator-initiated curricula that center the cultural and historical experiences of traditionally marginalized students impact student outcomes.
 
From the 10 finalists, four to six scholars will be selected to receive $350,000 over five years in support of their research. For a full list of finalists, please click here.
 
Learn more about Penner’s recent research:

Study finds that culturally centered program for Black, male high school students boosts persistence

Culturally Responsive Teaching Is Promising. But There’s a Pressing Need for More Research

Teacher Effects on Student Achievement and Height: A Cautionary Tale