Lincoln Native Dr. Elizabeth Graue honored with “Distinguished Contributions to Research Award” by the American Educational Research Association

 

[April 03, 2024] 

Lincoln native Dr. Elizabeth Graue was recently recognized by the American Educational Research Association with the Distinguished Contributions to Research Award. Dr. Graue is the daughter of Jody Graue and the late Bob Graue of Lincoln.

In recognition of her award, the following announcement was made by Myae Han, past chair, American Educational Research Association.

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The Early Education/Child Development SIGs Distinguished Contribution to Research Award recognizes an individual who has contributed nationally and internationally to the field of early education/child development as well as to the Early Education and Child Development Special Interest Group (EECD SIG). The award is given annually and selected by a committee of previous chairs of the EECD SIG.

This year the EECD SIG is pleased to award this honor to Dr. Elizabeth Graue at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Graue is Sorenson Professor of Early Childhood Education in the department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Director of the Center for Research on Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a former kindergarten teacher and an American Educational Research Association (AERA) fellow.

Her pioneering research on school readiness altered the way of early childhood educators conceptualize the construct of school readiness. Her work emphasized the variability of school readiness based on children’s sociocultural background and contexts within their local community, prompting early childhood educators and policy makers to consider what the readiness means.

Additionally, Dr. Graue underscored the necessity and significance of qualitative research such as ethnographic observation, classroom observation, interviews of stakeholders, and policy analysis to promote positive change in early childhood education.

Dr. Graue’s empirical work has persisted through her numerous studies investigating the changing kindergarten, the impact of class-size reduction on teaching, rethinking assessment, and prekindergarten expansion. She has consistently produced high-quality research that challenges education stakeholders to deeply contemplate their approach to education children and their families.

Dr. Graue has served as a mentor to numerous graduate students in early childhood education over the past decades. Her guidance of the next generation of scholars, both at UW-Madison and beyond, has resulted in many of her former students to become leaders within the field of early childhood education. They have contributed significantly to major associations such as American Education Research Association and the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators. Therefore, the impact of her research extends beyond her published work; it is reflected in the expansion of ideas through her mentorship over 30 years. The influence is poised to endure and resonate throughout the field for generations to come.

AERA EE/CD SIG is honored to acknowledge her numerous and exceptional contributions through this award.

My hearty Congratulations, Dr. Beth Graue
Myae Han, past chair

[Information provided by Chris Graue]