Mason, Mary L.
Mary
earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish from Michigan State, worked
as a child welfare social worker and then went to law school. After
graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, she practiced
law for a number of years, was a co-founder, board member, and
consultant for an inner-city charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
and has looked extensively at educational alternatives for her three
quirky children. In the process she also earned a master’s degree
in education from Aquinas College.
Education
for students outside of the mainstream has been Mary’s primary focus
for the last 15 years. Her interests include: the disconnect
between policy and classroom practice, particularly as it affects
students outside the mainstream; school choice; urban education and
reform; and the legal aspects of school finance. Her current work
brings many of these interests together in studying after-school
programs.
Mary
is supported by a Dean’s Scholar Award, with other support from a
Rasmussen Fellowship (2008), a Summer Research Development Fellowship
(2009) and a Summer Research Fellowship (2010).
Publications
Mason, M.L. and Arsen, D. (2010). The role of state courts in securing school facility adequacy and equity. Educational Policy Center at Michigan State University.
