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Loyola University is launching a new school of education that will focus on solving problems in urban schools and on forging practical relationships between the university and Baltimore's public school system.
The school, which Loyola will dedicate at a ceremony this evening, will house a research center dedicated to innovation in urban education. University officials hope the center will attract top-notch faculty and students with an interest in making practical improvements to Baltimore schools, said Peter Murrell, dean of the school of education.
"It really fits with the Jesuit philosophy that to do good work in the world, you have to get out there and roll up your sleeves," Murrell said.
Murrell has focused his research on urban education and came to Loyola last year after directing a similar research center at Northeastern University in Boston.
He believes in the creation of "community schools" that go beyond basic curriculum to address health, emotional welfare and activities before and after school. At Loyola, students will delve into the family and popular cultures that surround urban schools, he said.
Loyola already has an education department with about 1,000 undergraduates and master's students. But that number is likely to increase as the school widens its research focus and explores setting up doctoral programs, Murrell said.
Beyond urban education, the school will also offer concentrations in school counseling, curriculum management and educational technology.
Though the school will produce teachers, it probably won't catch up to larger competitors such as Towson University in that regard. "Our real impact will be as much in building the city's capacity for community schools and in creating partnerships between the city, the university and corporations," Murrell said.
Loyola's president, the Rev. Brian F. Linnane, said the new school is an example of how Loyola will continue to expand its ambitions in targeted areas. That mission is part of the reason why Loyola changed its designation from college to university earlier this year, he said.
The school, which Loyola will dedicate at a ceremony this evening, will house a research center dedicated to innovation in urban education. University officials hope the center will attract top-notch faculty and students with an interest in making practical improvements to Baltimore schools, said Peter Murrell, dean of the school of education.
"It really fits with the Jesuit philosophy that to do good work in the world, you have to get out there and roll up your sleeves," Murrell said.
Murrell has focused his research on urban education and came to Loyola last year after directing a similar research center at Northeastern University in Boston.
He believes in the creation of "community schools" that go beyond basic curriculum to address health, emotional welfare and activities before and after school. At Loyola, students will delve into the family and popular cultures that surround urban schools, he said.
Loyola already has an education department with about 1,000 undergraduates and master's students. But that number is likely to increase as the school widens its research focus and explores setting up doctoral programs, Murrell said.
Beyond urban education, the school will also offer concentrations in school counseling, curriculum management and educational technology.
Though the school will produce teachers, it probably won't catch up to larger competitors such as Towson University in that regard. "Our real impact will be as much in building the city's capacity for community schools and in creating partnerships between the city, the university and corporations," Murrell said.
Loyola's president, the Rev. Brian F. Linnane, said the new school is an example of how Loyola will continue to expand its ambitions in targeted areas. That mission is part of the reason why Loyola changed its designation from college to university earlier this year, he said.
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