Profile: Phil Sirinides

The program is geared heavily toward evidence-based policy and to using rigorous methods to answer policy questions," says Phil Sirinides as he explains why he chose Penn GSE for his graduate work. "As a teacher and someone interested in education policy, I was mainly attracted to GSE for the chance to learn applied methods and immediately start using them through research apprenticeships."

Phil came to GSE after teaching in Philadelphia schools for two years. "After a couple of years teaching high school English, I became aware of the impact that policy has on instructional practice," he explains.

"From there I became interested in the evidence used by policymakers — and the methods used to generate that evidence. I was convinced of the patent value of high-quality research. And so I decided to pursue the M.S. and eventually the Ph.D. in order to acquire expertise in rigorous methods of quantitative research to address policy issues that bear on teaching and learning."

The master's degree curriculum in the SMART program prepares graduates for mid-level research, testing, and evaluation positions in education, other professional fields, and the social sciences. It also prepares students to pursue advanced graduate studies, including the Ph.D. — as Phil eventually chose to do.

A research apprenticeship is also a requirement of the SMART program. Phil says, "There have been more opportunities to do fieldwork than I have been able to take advantage of."

While pursuing his M.S., Phil was extensively involved in research. "For me, it resulted in numerous presentations at conferences, collaborations with professors and peers, experience using methods that I hope to use in the future, and an excellent perspective on what goes on in the field and all of the realities of fieldwork and data collection."

Phil has enjoyed the collaborative environment at GSE both inside and outside the classroom. "The first few years I really enjoyed getting to know other Penn students and hanging out frequently," says Phil. "I now have a family and I've also enjoyed getting to know and hanging out with other Penn students with families. So, there really is diversity at Penn, and whatever stage you're at there is a good community here."

Looking toward the future, Phil expects to put the applied methods he has learned to use. "I plan to conduct research collaboratively in either a government agency or private firm. I'd like to use experimental design in answering questions about what works, for whom, to what extent, and under what circumstances."