William J. Reese

William J. Reese is the Vilas Research Professor and Carl F. Kaestle WARF Professor of Educational Policy Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Education. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, reflecting his significant contributions to the field.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Educational Policy Studies (History and Philosophy of Education) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1980), an MA in History from Bowling Green State University (1975), and a BA in History from Wilkes College (1973).

Professor Reese's research centers on the history of American education, with expertise in the history of childhood and adolescence, the evolution of public schooling, and educational reform movements. Current projects investigate the historical development of Washington, D.C. public schools and the cultural phenomenon of child prodigies across time periods.

His eight major scholarly books, published between 1986 and 2013, analyze pivotal moments in U.S. educational history including high school origins, Progressive Era reforms, and the contentious politics of standardized testing. These works demonstrate his consistent focus on how historical contexts shape educational policies and practices.

Among his distinguished honors are the Vilas Research Professorship (2015), Fellowship in the American Educational Research Association (2008), election to the National Academy of Education (2002), and the WARF Professorship (2007). His book "Testing Wars in the Public Schools" received dual awards in 2013.

• Vilas Research Professor (2015)
• Fellow of the American Educational Research Association (2008)
• Elected to National Academy of Education (2002)
• WARF Professorship (2007)
• O.L. Davis, Jr. Distinguished Book Award for "Testing Wars in the Public Schools" (2013)
• Outstanding Book Award for "Testing Wars in the Public Schools" (2013)
• Faculty Distinguished Professor Achievement Award, UW-Madison School of Education (2018)
• Distinguished Lectureship Program, Organization of American Historians (2004)
• Special Overseas Member, Japan Society of Historical Studies of Education (2019, 2022)
• Named Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study, Indiana University (2009)
• President, History of Education Society (1999, 2000)

Professor Reese has mentored graduate students through his teaching in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and has contributed to the academic community via leadership roles including presidency of the History of Education Society. His research has been supported by university fellowships and external honors that provide scholarly resources.