Internationally acclaimed education scholars Yong Zhao and William Schmidt, both University Distinguished Professors in the College of Education, will discuss the prospect of national standards in American schools during a special event from 1:30-3:00 p.m. April 3 in 252 Erickson Hall.

Schmidt and Zhao will present two different perspectives on the role that national standards can play in school reform, along with the potential benefits and pitfalls – a hot and often controversial topic as students in the United States struggle to remain competitive in international comparisons.

Zhao is a professor of educational psychology and educational technology who directs the Center for Teaching and Technology, the U.S.-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence and the Confucius Institute at MSU.

Schmidt holds appointments in measurement and quantitative methods and the Department of Statistics. He directs the Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education (PROM/SE) project and serves as co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University.

Their conversation is being presented by the Education Policy Center at MSU and will be moderated by the center’s co-director, Sharif Shakrani.