CALL FOR PROPOSALS
International School Choice and Reform Conference 2021

I. General Information

The ninth annual International School Choice and Reform Conference (ISCRC) will bring together researchers, policy specialists, practitioners, and organization leaders from around the world who are interested in school choice and education reform. The conference will be held virtually January 15-18, 2021.

The focus of the conference is on how school choice practice and policy shapes education, including the roles of various stakeholders, such as parents and teachers. Of particular interest are the connections between choice, autonomy, equity, and effective education. The conference encourages empirically-based papers that use strong quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methodological approaches, as well as theoretical and philosophical analyses connected to choice. We particularly welcome presentations that are critical as well as supportive of school choice. Papers focusing on school choice and reform outside of the United States or those with an international comparative emphasis are highly encouraged.

II. Session Categories

Conference submissions can take one of three forms: single paper submissions, symposia or panels, and critical conversations and networking sessions, selected through this open call for submissions and a peer review process.

a. Accepted PAPER submissions will be assembled into panels and a moderator or discussant will be appointed. We encourage proposals that target cutting-edge topics under the general theme of school choice in a city, state, region or nation. Papers based upon empirical data with clear policy implications are preferred.

b. SYMPOSIA or PANELS provide opportunities to examine a specific school choice topic from a variety of perspectives, or across different cities, states, regions or countries. Symposium participants may or may not choose to submit written papers, and might include practitioners and policymakers. The organizer of a symposium proposes the topic, identifies participants, and describes the format to be used. Consent of all participants should be obtained before advancing a symposium proposal. Symposia/Panel proposals should provide the contact information for all presenters or participants, a chair, and any discussants.

c. CRITICAL CONVERSATION SESSIONS: These 60-minute sessions should facilitate informal, lively discussions around a series of provocative questions or research in progress around school choice. Sessions may be structured to: 1) include a panel of participants who facilitate and guide the conversation; 2) engage the organizers and attendees in dialogue around an issue or series of related questions, or 3) provide scholars with common research interests dedicated time to meet, plan, discuss and consider developing collaborative projects, papers, and other scholarly pursuits that will be a continued focus beyond the conference.

We strongly encourage submission of proposals that take advantage of the diversity of conference participants, both internationally and by sector, and that stimulate broad rather than technical discussions. Examples might include:

• Diverse approaches to school choice (e.g., magnet schools, tuition tax credits, charter schools, homeschooling, virtual learning).
• Diverse perspectives on a single topic related to school choice (e.g., parent engagement, the role of government regulation).
• International comparisons of the implementation or impact of school choice policies.
• Understanding the implications of various school choice reforms for diverse populations and communities.
• Productive exchanges among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

III. Guidelines for Content and Submission of Proposals

To submit a proposal, please click on the relevant hyperlink for directions:

a. Single Paper Proposals
b. Symposia/Panel Proposals
c. Critical Conversations and Networking Session Proposals

Please submit the title page and blinded proposal as two separate files by email to: schoolchoice.conference@gmail.com
All submissions are due by 5PM ET on Monday August 31, 2020. Notification of proposal acceptance or rejection will be sent by September 25, 2020.

Questions about proposal submissions may be directed to the Program Committee: Anna Egalite (anna_egalite@ncsu.edu); Eric Wearne (ewearne@kennesaw.edu); Heidi Holmes-Erickson (hholme11@kennesaw.edu); or Jonathan Mills (jnm003@uark.edu).

Additional details on conference announcement, registration, and hotel accommodations may be found on our website, ISCRweb.org
To learn more about travel grants available for ISCRC attendees, please visit this page.