Experts to Discuss Connections Between Law and Education Reform

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – "Hiding in Plain Sight: What Education Reform Needs" is the subject of this year's Arkansas Law Review symposium, which will feature panel discussions with nationally known experts and keynote addresses by Derek Black, professor of law at the University of South Carolina School of Law. 

The symposium is designed to dovetail with the ongoing scholarship and national debate taking place at universities, in school districts and in the public arena on the intersection of law and education reform.

Sixteen guest scholars and practitioners will join Black, along with law school faculty members to explore timely topics such as promises and pitfalls of school choice, the fight for educational equality, new impediments to school reform, recent developments in Arkansas public schools and the role of norms school reform.

The symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the E.J. Ball Courtroom of the School of Law. The event is sponsored by the Arkansas Law Review along with Danielle Weatherby, associate professor of law, and Brian Gallini, senior associate dean for faculty and professor of law.

The program has been approved for seven hours of general continuing legal education certified by the Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Professional Program and is open to the public as well as legal professionals. Admission, materials and lunch are provided free of charge to those who register but will not be provided to those who attend without a reservation. Register here to reserve your seat and lunch order, or go to law.uark.edu/symposium2018.

SESSIONS, SPEAKERS, MODERATORS

8:30-8:45 a.m. – Welcome Remarks and Symposium Introduction by Brian Gallini, senior associate dean for faculty and professor of law, and Danielle Weatherby, associate professor of law, University of Arkansas

8:45-10:15 a.m. – Panel I: The Promises and Pitfalls of School Choice

• Preston Green, professor of educational leadership and law, University of Connecticut
• David Hinojosa, national director of policy, Intercultural Development Research Association
• Bob Maranto, 21st Century Chair in Leadership, Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions
• Kevin Quinn, partner, Whiteman Osterman and Hanna LLP
• Danielle Weatherby, moderator, associate professor of law, University of Arkansas School of Law

10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m.-noon – Panel II: The Fight for Educational Equality

• Kristi Bowman, senior adviser to the provost and professor of law, Michigan State University College of Law
• Treshika Melvin, community advocate, Southern Poverty Law Center Children's Rights Team
• Kimberly Robinson, Austin E. Owen Research Scholar and professor of law, Richmond School of Law
• Matthew Shaw, assistant professor education and law, Vanderbilt University Peabody College of Education and Human Development
• Kevin Brady, moderator, associate professor of educational leadership, University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions

Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Break for Lunch

12:30-1:30 p.m. – Keynote Address: "What Norms Should We Break When We Reform Schools?" by Derek Black, professor of law, University of South Carolina School of Law

1:30-1:45 p.m. – Break

1:45-3:15 p.m. – Panel III: The New Impediment to School Reform

• Scott Bauries, associate dean of research and Willburt D. Ham Professor of Law, University of Kentucky College of Law
• Areto Imoukhuede, professor of law, Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law
• Twinette Johnson, professor of law and director of the Academic Success Program, University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law
• Joshua Weishart, associate professor of law and policy, West Virginia University College of Law and the John D. Rockefeller IV School of Policy and Politics
• Jonathan Marshfield, moderator, associate professor of law, University of Arkansas School of Law

3:15-3:30 p.m. – Break

3:30-5 p.m. – Panel IV: Recent Developments in Arkansas Public Schools

• Kendra Clay, student and legal services director, Springdale Public School District
• Mark Henry, of counsel, Rose Law Firm
• Chris Lawson, heneral counsel, Fayetteville Public Schools
• Robert Maranto, 21st Century Chair in Leadership, Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions
• Courtney Salas-Ford, deputy general cousel, Arkansas Department of Education
• Sara Gosman, moderator, associate professor of law, University of Arkansas School of Law

5:00-5:15 p.m. – Closing Remarks by the Arkansas Law Review Executive Committee