The impact of childhood trauma on students in schools has become a relevant issue for today's school leaders in the United States (Mendelson et al., 2015). The effects of trauma often interfere with students' ability to learn and manage the demands of a school environment. Students are coming into schools with diverse academic, behavioral, and…

Meeting the needs of students dealing with trauma-related behavioral challenges poses a significant challenge. Research has shown that childhood trauma affects a student's capacity to learn in academic, social, and emotional contexts and that educators are faced with significant challenges when trying to provide an educational path for each of…

At a large suburban high school in the United States, the first home football game was taking place after missing a full season due to the pandemic. The stands were packed as the school community gathered to celebrate the return to some normalcy. Shortly after the third quarter began, a beloved coach/teacher collapsed on the sideline. Paramedics…

Building on comprehensive research conducted in US schools, this accessible volume offers an effective model of school leadership to develop and implement school-wide, trauma-responsive approaches to student discipline. Recognizing that challenging student behaviours are often rooted in early experiences of trauma, the volume builds on a model…

The devastating wildfires that erupted in Southern California in early January 2025 were historic in scale and impact, and interrupted the education of more than 725,000 students. There was a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including students with disabilities, Latino and multilingual learners, and the socio-economically…

The reasons for committing to active shooter drills and exercises are based on psychological survival and decision-making research, along with experiences and lessons learned. However, in the realm of education, the origins and research-based purposes of active shooter drills are mostly unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the…

"Responding to Student Trauma" is an urgent addition to current trauma response practices. Written by a middle school counselor, this easy-to-follow book provides a framework for understanding and responding to the needs of students experiencing trauma. With many schools lacking adequate staff for supporting student mental health, this…

Many educators have heard about the need to implement "trauma-sensitive" practices in order to help students heal and succeed. But what does this look like on a day-to-day basis? What does it require of teachers and of those who lead them? In "Trauma-Sensitive School Leadership," Bill Ziegler, Dave Ramage, Andrea Parson, and…

This data brief, featuring infographics, provides a statistical overview of students attending public schools in non-rural areas, such as cities, suburbs, and towns. It delivers essential information for school leaders, parents, educators, and other stakeholders and is updated annually.

This brief seeks to improve staff effectiveness while maximizing and streamlining support for students and families experiencing homelessness, ensuring they receive the assistance they need and deserve. The guidance is intended for, but not limited to, Massachusetts policymakers and Boston Public Schools (BPS) administrators, offering key insights…

It is essential for all schools to integrate trauma-informed care into practice as children, parents, and teachers live with the threat of COVID-19. In her new book, Lesley Koplow explores the Emotionally Responsive Practice (ERP) approach designed to support children and teachers' emotional well-being in the public-school setting. ERP encourages…

Child welfare leaders in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, determined that they needed new approaches to keeping families together safely -- and they wanted to center their efforts around the well-being of children and young people. For situations in which foster care was the only option, they wanted it to be temporary, with fewer disruptions…

This study explored the lived experiences of eight immigrants, documented and undocumented, with different profiles based on their background and their respective motivations, ambitions, and persistence to pursue a college education. The key objective of this study was to present to policymakers, educational leaders, and mental health…

The majority of public school principals are now required to supervise and evaluate early childhood teachers and classrooms, yet many do not have a sufficient understanding of child development and early childhood pedagogy to lead for equity. This practical and comprehensive resource addresses this critical gap by presenting current research on…

All over the United States, adult ESL programs enroll students who are undocumented immigrants, often unbeknownst to the instructors who teach them. During the COVID-19 crisis, adult ESL enrollments decreased overall, but most especially for the undocumented immigrants who were most disadvantaged during the crisis. In order for program…