Prided on stimulating student involvement in pressing issues facing the 21st century, the College hosted the Public Education Colloquia over a four-day period, from Jan. 24-27. Wendy Puriefoy, founding president of the Public Education Network and William Howell, associate professor at the University of Chicago, led discussions while Professor of Black Studies Hilary Moss moderated. The five key topics included the history of public education, systemic standards base reform, No Child Left Behind Act, equality of access and school choice. Moss described the event as a "four-day marathon." Although topics typically moved at a fast pace, Amherst students readily followed.

"I went to the colloquium all four days," said Rachel Ruskin '10. "I thought it was incredibly informative and it made me actually sit down and think about public education instead of just having these half-formed ideas floating around." Ruskin was not "surprised by any of the issues" but added that Howell discussed vouchers from angles she previously had not explored. "I thought it was a really fun and worthwhile event and I left it completely prepared to defend public education and have semi-intellectual discussions about it."

According to Moss, Puriefoy and Howell, public education began as "common schools" with the America's founder's intent on a unity among the citizenry in the Republic. However, such a unification was hampered by a history of slavery, immigrants' bitterness to Americanization and conflicts within religious groups. It was and still is difficult to ascertain what exactly it is that public schools should teach. This question arose time and again during the four days and throughout history, at times addressing hot button topics such as the responsibility of public schools to teach non-native English speakers their native language.

The schedule for each day included an overview of factual information to guide daily discussions with a strong encouragement that attendees complete readings in the assigned multilith and David Tyack's "Seeking Common Ground-Public Schools in Diverse Society." In the winding days of the colloquia, students, such as Ruskin, made lasting impressions on the speakers. "One of the things I observed … is a fresh clear-eyed innocence [concerning the issues of public education]," Puriefoy said.

"A couple of things impressed me [over the four-day span]," Professor Moss commented. "The level of student interest and commitment to devote a week of their interterm to exploring issues of public education. I think Wendy and William did a wonderful job of laying out some of the most critical debates in the national dialogue over public education today I think students emerged with as many questions as answers and I hope they will carry that with them."

The public education colloquium was part of a week-long series of colloquia sponsored by the President's Office for the purpose of enriching and expanding students' educational experiences.