2023 SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

International School Choice and Reform Conference 2023

1. General Information

The eleventh 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 January 13 – 16, 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

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.  To get a sense of sessions that occurred in 2022, the previous program is available here.

1. Session Categories

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

• SINGLE PAPER SUBMISSIONS: The Program Committee will assemble single paper submissions into panels and appoint a moderator or discussant. We encourage proposals that target cutting-edge topics under the general theme of school choice and reform in a city, state, region, or nation. Papers based upon empirical data with clear policy implications are preferred.

• RESEARCH PANELS provide opportunities to examine a specific school choice topic from a variety of perspectives, methodologies, or geographic locales. Panel participants might include researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The organizer of this 90-minute panel should propose the topic, identify participants, and describe the specific format to be used. Panels focusing on rigorous empirical or theoretical research are preferred. Consent of all participants should be obtained before advancing a research panel proposal. Please provide the contact information for all participants, including a chair and any discussants.

• CRITICAL CONVERSATION SESSIONS: These 90-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 fill out the appropriate google form linked below:

• Single Paper Proposals

• Research Panel Proposals

• Critical Conversation Session Proposals

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at schoolchoice.conference@gmail.com

All submissions are due by 5PM ET on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Notification of proposal acceptance or rejection will be sent by October 3, 2022.

Questions about proposal submissions may be directed to the Program Committee: Angela Dills (akdills@wcu.edu); Tommaso Agasisti (tommaso.agasisti@polimi.it); Ian Kingsbury (iansethkingsbury@gmail.com); Dany Shakeel (danish.shakeel@buckingham.ac.uk); or Angela R. Watson (awatso43@jhu.edu);

Additional details on conference announcement, registration, and hotel accommodations may be found on our website, ISCRweb.org

Travel grant information will be available in the Fall.