UCLA School of Education & Information Studies

UCLA School of Education & Information Studies. The UCLA School of Education & Information Studies is a premier professional school at the University of California, Los Angeles dedicated to the interdisciplinary study and improvement of educational practice, policy, and information systems. Formed by the 1994 merger of the Graduate School of Education and the School of Library and Information Science, it uniquely bridges the fields of education and information science. The school is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the nation for both education and library science, known for its commitment to social justice, equity, and community engagement in Los Angeles and beyond.

History

The school's origins trace back to 1881 with the founding of the Los Angeles State Normal School, which moved to Vermont Avenue in 1914 before becoming the southern branch of the University of California in 1919. This institution evolved into UCLA in 1927, with its education programs formally established within the University of California system. A significant milestone occurred in 1994 when the Graduate School of Education merged with the UCLA Graduate School of Library & Information Science, creating the present-day school. This union was championed by leaders like Dean Emeritus Mike Rose and solidified under the leadership of former dean Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, aiming to address the interconnected challenges of learning and information in a democratic society.

Academics

The school offers a comprehensive range of academic programs through its two academic departments. The Department of Education provides undergraduate minors, master's degrees, and Ph.D. programs in areas such as Urban Schooling, Higher Education and Organizational Change, and Social Research Methodology. The Department of Information Studies confers the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), the Master of Archival Studies, and a Ph.D. in Information Studies, preparing professionals for careers in libraries, archives, and museums. Interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized, with faculty and students often working across departments and with other units like the UCLA School of Law and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

Research centers and initiatives

The school houses numerous influential research centers that drive innovation and policy. Key entities include the UCLA Center for the Study of Evaluation (CSE), the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST), and the UCLA Civil Rights Project, a pioneering initiative co-founded by Gary Orfield and Christopher Edley Jr.. Other significant centers are the UCLA Community School, a partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the UCLA Information Studies Press. These centers secure major grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education to study critical issues from digital equity to college access.

Notable faculty and alumni

The school's community includes many distinguished scholars and leaders. Notable current and former faculty include critical pedagogue Peter McLaren, Jeanne Oakes known for her work on tracking (education), and Tyrone Howard, director of the UCLA Black Male Institute. Renowned alumni span both fields, such as former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr., librarian and novelist Susan Orlean, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michele Norris. Other prominent graduates include California State Senator Carol Liu and former President of the University of California Janet Napolitano.

Campus and facilities

The school is primarily housed in Moore Hall and GSE&IS Building on the main UCLA campus in Westwood, Los Angeles. These facilities contain advanced classrooms, research labs, and collaborative spaces for its departments and centers. The school also manages the UCLA Lab School, a historic laboratory school founded in 1882, located on the UCLA campus, which serves as a site for educational research and innovation. Its proximity to other major resources like the Charles E. Young Research Library and the UCLA Hammer Museum enriches the academic environment for students and faculty.

Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Education schools in California Category:Information schools in the United States