COLLEGE PARK, MD (September, 2013) The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) named Judith Torney-Purta, a professor of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., as the 2013 Jean Dresden Grambs Distinguished Career in Research Award recipient. Torney-Purta, will be honored at the 93rd NCSS Annual Conference Nov. 22-24, in St. Louis, Missouri.
This annual award recognizes professionals who have made extensive contributions to knowledge concerning significant areas of social studies education through meritorious research. For more information visit: http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/research/grambs/.
Torney-Purta has been a research leader of domestic and international civic education initiatives for more than 50 years. Her impressive academic expertise in developmental and educational psychology and her research contributions span a wide range within the United States and internationally. Among the topics of her research are processes of social/political cognition, civic engagement, citizenship education, cross-cultural and inter-cultural studies, and research related to social policy.
In the 1970s and again in the 1990s Torney-Purta led international studies of adolescents civics knowledge and attitudes that shaped a new conception of youth civic engagement and innovative assessment approaches. The resulting instruments and data sets are still being analyzed in dissertations and publications internationally. Early career and senior researchers from more than 30 countries collaborated in the design of the studies.
A pragmatic and dynamic contributor to the field of civics education, Torney-Purta has thoughtfully worked with groups and institutions such as the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) that influence school level practice in civics and citizenship education. She has also played an important role in developing the NAEP civics tests, in the civic education work of the Education Commission of the States, and in strengthening the research foundations of the Civic Mission of Schools and the Guardians of Democracy reports. Recently she has focused on strengthening processes of international collaboration in social science and educational research.
Recognizing the paucity of support for civic education research, Torney- Purta has been involved in efforts such as the Spencer Foundations New Civics Initiative. Her many scholarly presentations, publications, and honors as well as her service to the profession attest to her extraordinary lifelong contributions and support to the field.
I cant think of any other scholars in any field who have been so productive, on a very grand scale, her scholarship crosses borders, said Jeff Passe, NCSS Past President. Dr. Torney-Purta has set a bar for our field that may never again be reached.
Torney-Purta received a BA in Psychology with great distinction from Stanford University, 1959, an MA in Human Development from the University of Chicago, Division of Social Sciences, Chicago, Il. 1962, and a PhD in Human Development, University of Chicago, Division of Social Sciences, 1965.
In an historical footnote, Jean Dresden Grambs whose memory is honored in this award, was a Professor of Human Development at Maryland.
The NCSS annual conference is a major forum for social studies educators to share, interact, learn, develop ideas, and enhance their skills. This years theme: Social Studies: Gateway to the Core of Learning will offer more than 500 content-rich sessions covering all subjects and grade levels, a lineup of renowned speakers and education experts, and more than 150 exhibiting organizations displaying the latest in educational resources. For more information visit: http://www.socialstudies.org/conference.
Founded in 1921, the National Council for the Social Studies has members throughout the United States and internationally. Membership includes K-16 classroom teachers, curriculum supervisors and specialists, curriculum writers and designers, and teacher educators. The NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for teachers of civics, history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and law-related education. For more information please visit www.socialstudies.org.
Reprinted from the original National Council for the Social Studies press release
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