Many teachers are ill-prepared to support LGBTQ+ students. School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) is often perceived as not inclusive of these youth. Therefore, we explored perceptions of SBAE alumni who identified as LGBTQ+ regarding their SBAE programs' climates. The study's quantitative phase described participants' perceptions regarding…

Student retention and lack of encouragement are post-secondary institutional barriers that play a critical part in why African Americans are represented in small numbers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) (National Science Foundation, 2017). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have always promoted a supportive…

Students attending school today can have a wide variety of needs in the classroom, both academically and behaviorally. One student group often regarded as challenging to support is students who have an emotional disturbance (ED; see discussion in Algozzine, 2017). Students with an ED usually require a different level of support to be successful at…

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Fair Discipline." Contents include: (1) At What Cost? A Review of School Police…

This mixed methods study addressed the need for common area expectations that serve to create a positive school culture and climate. An embedded research design was used during which information from teacher interviews were conducted before designing a professional development for teacher and student training of common area expectations. The…

This report examines the influence of social and emotional learning (SEL) implementation and longevity on selected staff and student outcomes. Results indicate that the degree to which schools implement SEL with fidelity is more related to student and staff outcomes than years of participation in SEL. This research brief outlines key takeaways…

Background: The National Center for Education Statistics in 2009 and 2011 showed that African American and Hispanic students scored relatively lower than their white peers by an average of more than 20 test-score points on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for 4 th and 8th grade mathematics and reading assessments. Resulting…

Sexual minority youth (SMY) students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT+) often struggle with gender identity and sexual orientation (Craig, Austin, & McInroy, 2014). The inclusion of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) and Safe Zones have united students and facilitated cultural shifts in schools (Patterson, 2013).…

In "The No Significant Differences Phenomenon," Russell (1999) discusses a thought-provoking pattern of research findings regarding integrating educational technology into classroom instruction that started in 1928 and continues today. Finding few studies that resulted in measurable positive effects, Russell concluded that using…

This report describes characteristics of the 11 model SEL schools in AISD and compares them to nonmodel SEL schools.

The Communities In Schools (CIS) Model of Integrated Student Supports aims to reduce dropout rates by providing students with integrated and tiered support services based on their levels of need. The model includes preventive services that are available to all students (Level 1 services) as well as intensive, targeted, and sustained services…

The Communities In Schools (CIS) Model of Integrated Student Supports aims to reduce dropout rates by providing students with integrated and tiered support services based on their levels of need. The model includes preventive services that are available to all students (Level 1 services) as well as intensive, targeted, and sustained services…

School-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SW-PBIS) is a framework for creating safe and effective learning environments and cultivating a positive educational climate. Researchers show that SW-PBIS can improve behavioral outcomes, while demonstrations of a causal relationship between improvements in students' academic achievement…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of Texas principals as to the degree to which their local school districts are meeting their ongoing professional development need. The study was conducted to analyze and describe the survey and interview responses of Texas principals as to their perceptions of the degree to which their…

This report for school year 2013-2014 analyzes the effectiveness of AISD's SEL program considering program implementation and cohort. Examinations of program outcomes across cohort suggest the longer schools have participated in SEL, the more positive the outcome.