Doug Fuchs and Lynn Fuchs, whose names many readers will recognize, will receive the 2021 McGraw Prize in PreK-12 Education in November, 2021. The award announcement, made 29 September 2021, included the following description of their work (follow link on this page or read the press release).
Trailblazers in the field of special education, Lynn Fuchs and Doug Fuchs are the 2021 McGraw Prize winners in PreK-12 Education. Across four decades of methodologically rigorous and innovative research and development, Lynn and Doug helped establish Data-Based Individualization as the most respected approach to instructing students with serious learning disabilities and as the sine qua non of special education intervention. In addition, Doug and Lynn have produced many scientifically-validated programs in literacy and mathematics for children and youth ranging from academically talented to academically at risk. Doug and Lynn and their former doctoral students have worked with thousands of educators across the U.S., encouraging them to conduct these programs in a multi-tiered (RTI/MTSS) framework to provide instruction of appropriate intensity to students with varying degrees of need. In their current research, they explore children’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how instructional programs can leverage the strengths while addressing the weaknesses. Lynn and Doug are Institute Fellows at the American Institutes for Research and Research Professors in the Departments of Special Education and Psychology and Human Development at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Recognized as “revolutionary educators” by Forbes, the Fuchs have received numerous awards and are among the most frequently cited researchers in the social sciences.
The McGraw Awards are probably the most prestigious prizes in education. They usually are given to high-profile people connected to education, such as former Secretaries of Education or founders of unique programs. Lynn and Doug join Joe Renzulli (of gifted education fame) as the only awardees in the history of the prizes who have connections to special education.
Sources
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education press release for 2021; as explained on the “about page,” the award “recognizes individuals and their efforts to elevate human potential in education.”
The American Institutes of Research also issued a press release about the award.
Well deserved!