Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings

Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings (EDES) is a unique program area within the Department of Educational Specialties. The program offers master's degrees for practicing teachers, and provides doctoral study (referred to as doctorate in Educational Specialties) to those who aspire to be scholars in the field. Formerly called "Master's in Educational Specialties," the change in name was approved in summer of 2008.

Mission of the Program in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings

The Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings (EDES) program prepares teachers/educators to be advanced practitioners and scholars in teaching and learning in today’s increasingly diverse schools. The program attends to the diversity of K-12 students and their varying social identities, including but not limited to exceptionality, gender, linguistic background, national origin, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and social class. The EDES master’s program prepares educators and scholars to teach the content areas of mathematics, science, social studies, and language/literacy individually or in combination using effective, inclusive instructional practices. It operates from the premise that high-quality education is provided by teachers who have a strong command of content knowledge and research-based instructional practices, as well as a professional perspective that values scholarship for continuing pedagogical development and contributing to the field at large.

What is Special About Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings?

This unique program offers students a great deal of choice in creating a program of study in areas of interest. In addition, students may have opportunities to engage in independent and collaborative research with program faculty. Program faculty are engaged in research and teaching activities in creative and exciting areas using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies:

• Comparative and global Education
• Content area teaching and learning (mathematics, social studies)
• Gender issues in education
• Immigration/refugee education
• Multicultural citizenship education

Degrees offered

Master's Degrees

Master of Education in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings (non-thesis option)

Master of Science in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings (thesis option)

Doctoral Degrees

Ph.D. in Educational Specialties

Ed. D. in Educational Specialties

Each of these doctoral programs have two possible areas of emphasis: (1) Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings; and (2) Language, Literacy and Culture

Faculty and Projects in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings

Alphabetical listing of faculty:

• Dr. Kathryn Obenchain, associate professor of social studies and citizenship/democratic education. She has a particular interest and expertise in working in and researching citizenship education in emerging democracies and post-conflict areas of the world.
• Dr. Eleni Oikonomidoy, assistant professor of multicultural education. Her interests and expertise include immigrant and refugee education, globalization and education, and culturally responsive teaching and research.
• Dr. Lynda Wiest, associate professor of mathematics education. She has particular interest in geometry, problem solving, and quantitative literacy. Her interest and expertise also includes educational equity, in particular, gender issues and teaching mathematics to English Language Learners, and pre-service and in-service teacher education.

Projects related to Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings:

• Girls Math and Technology Program (GMTP) – multi-grant program (Dr. Wiest)
• Research in Romania project (Dr. Obenchain)

How Can I Support the Program in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings?

There are a variety of ways to support students or faculty in the Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings program. For more information about support, please contact Mitch Klaich, Director of Development in the College of Education.

For more information about the academic programs in Equity and Diversity in Educational Settings, consult the degree program pages on this web site or contact:

Department of Educational Specialties