James L. Alouf

Job Title:
Professor of Education

Subjects or issues this person can knowledgeably discuss:
Legislative and governmental issues related to education, mentoring programs and mentoring program development, standardized testing, inquiry-based teaching in science and social studies, assessment of student performance.

Professional achievements or current responsibilities:
Current chair of Sweet Briar's Education Department and responsible for the Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education programs, secondary social studies teacher for 10 years, member of the Association of Teacher Educators' Board of Directors, presented papers at conferences nationally on science and social studies education.

Educational background:
B.A., King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA. M.A., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Ph.D, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

Current or recent research:
Researching and assessing inquiry-based teaching in elementary science taught by science faculty at Sweet Briar through implementatioin of professional development opportunities for local school divisions.

Books or significant articles published:
American History Smart Junior, Princeton Review, 1996.

Current or recent professional memberships, activities or awards:
Elected to a three-year term on he Association of Teacher Educators' Board of Directors, Cameron Fellow at Sweet Briar College (two-time recipient).

Experience with news media:
Previously quoted in the Christian Science Monitor

Summary of expertise:
Alouf is an expert in the politics of education, including policy and analysis, and legislative issues. He also has expertise in mentoring, inquiry-based teaching and assessment.

Key Terms:
Education, Standardized Testing, Developmental Theory, Social Studies