Tara Brown

Tara Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on the educational experiences of low-income adolescents and young adults of color, particularly regarding disciplinary exclusion, school dropout, and systemic inequities in urban schools. She employs qualitative, community-based, and participatory action research methodologies. Her work Uncredentialed: Young Adults Living without a Secondary Degree explores the social, economic, and emotional impacts of high school dropout among Latinx youth in disenfranchised urban areas.

Dr. Brown holds an Ed.D. from Harvard University (2005) and has extensive experience as a secondary alternative education teacher. Her research emphasizes resilience, equity, and systemic change in education. She collaborates with urban youth and communities to address gaps in educational policy and practice. Recent studies include analyses of prison reentry programs, mentorship dynamics, and curriculum reform.

Her publications span topics such as student engagement, participatory research methods, and the intersection of education and criminology. While no specific awards are noted, her work has contributed significantly to understanding marginalized youth experiences.