Helping kids become critical thinkers and lifelong learners is the theme of California State University, Northridge’s next Education on the Edge lecture.

The third and last lecture in the series is scheduled to take place Thursday, March 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the University Student Union, located on the west side of the campus off Zelzah avenue. Alfie Kohn, who Time magazine called “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores,” will lead a discussion titled “The (Progressive) Schools Our Children Deserve.”

“The primary purpose of the Education on the Edge series is to bring issues and information to CSUN and the surrounding community about cutting-edge educational topics,” said Wendy Murawski, executive director of CSUN’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Eisner endowed chair. “Alfie Kohn was selected as speaker because … he questions why we do homework, standardized testing and grading in the way we do [and] asks for evidence to support our actions.”

The Education on the Edge speaker series is free and open to the public. However, reservations are required. For more information and to reserve a seat, visit www.CTLalfiekohn.eventbrite.com.

The lecture kicks off CTL’s “What Really Works in Education” 2015 conference to be held the following day, March 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in CSUN’s University Student Union. CSUN alumna and 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki will moderate the panel of distinguished teachers and counselors. The keynote address will be given by 2014 National Teacher of the Year Sean McComb, of Baltimore, MD.

“Speakers will present evidence-based strategies that are practical and doable in today’s schools, for K-12 teachers, administrators, counselors, students and parents,” said Murawski. “At the CTL, our focus is on what really works in education. We know that the only way we can truly identify what really works is to have individuals who are willing to analyze, question, research and disseminate their information.”

The conference fee is $125, with discounts offered to CSUN students, CTL partnership schools and groups of five or more. Each registered attendee will receive a free copy of the “What Really Works” book by Corwin Press. To register, please visit www.WhatReallyWorks2015.eventbrite.com. For questions, please call (818) 677-7494.

CSUN’s Center for Teaching and Learning is the research, collaboration and professional development arm of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education. Faculty from departments across the college are conducting cutting-edge research and professional development to address the needs of schools, in collaboration with K-12 teachers and administrators and community members.

The center was established in 2002, thanks to a generous gift from the Eisner Foundation, the family foundation of Michael and Jane Eisner. The center initially focused on neurodevelopment and how knowledge of those constructs can be taught to teachers — and ultimately impact the way they teach and the way students learn. During the past few years, the center has broadened its scope. Faculty and affiliates are researching and analyzing multiple innovative approaches to teaching, counseling, educational therapy, administration and professional development. The center also offers a speakers bureau that provides local schools and organizations an opportunity to bring these new approaches to their campuses. For more information on CTL go to www.csun.edu/ctl.