UC Professor Presents at Congressional Briefing

The University of Cincinnati will be represented at a policy briefing to congressional staffers in Washington, D.C., as they examine social, motivational and cultural issues in education. Patricia O’Reilly, UC Professor Emerita of psychology and education, will cite local and national research as she presents “Including Girls in the Education Mainstream.”

The briefing will be held from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, July 17 in Room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

O’Reilly dedicated her career to examining gender issues in the classroom. Her book, Educating Young Adolescent Girls, was the result of conferences she had coordinated between the University of Cincinnati and area middle-school aged girls.

O’Reilly states that “Since accountability and testing have become the focus of education and schooling since the late 90s, gender equity is no longer a priority.”  She plans to address national trends affecting young girls including high school graduation rates, health issues, and girls and technology. O’Reilly says she will call for the development of a new standard regarding gender equity and educational technology, as well as emphasis on building a foundation of financial literacy for young girls in preparation for their future financial security.

The briefing will take place before an audience of congressional staff, federal agency staff and special interest groups, and is sponsored by the Consortium of Social Science Associations.