Many institutions perceive accreditation processes as arduous and disruptive to daily operations. However, accreditation standards can (and should) be used for continuous institutional improvement. By understanding and leveraging these processes as guidance for good practice in student affairs, colleagues can be well positioned for ongoing best…

This article is a summary of information provided in a workshop encouraging educators to explore creating brave spaces in schools and communities through literacy. Educators are introduced to a culturally responsive pedagogy that prioritizes fostering inclusive literacy environments and supporting students with dignity. Teachers are encouraged to…

This article proposes the expansion of the definition and scope of a "profession" to explicitly incorporate issues of ethics, equity, environment and philanthropy to meet the demands of the 21st century. Governing bodies (professional designations, certificates and licensures) that develop and advance fields of study are tasked with…

When education leaders utilize survey results to inform their decisions, they are often left wondering if the "right" survey questions were asked. To help state and local leaders improve existing instruments or create better instruments for data collection, this quick reference guide highlights best practices in designing effective…

Building on the theoretical framework of social contact theory, this article explores what it means to feel a sense of belonging, and how colleges and universities can equip students to enter a diverse, fractured world with a mindset of hospitality. 12 Christian Colleges and Universities share insights and best practices from creative programs…

There is a need for music education research that uplifts and affirms disabled children by exploring their perceptions of participation in musical experiences in music classrooms. The purpose of this position paper is to a) define what it means to centre perspectives of disabled children, b) provide a rationale for centring perspectives of…

As one of the STEM disciplines with the lowest percentages of minoritized students and professionals, faculty and administrators in the geosciences have an opportunity to address racism within the context of their classrooms and campuses. In response, a group of community college geoscience faculty from disparate institutions across the U.S. came…

This article provides best practices that instructors can use to affirm and support marginalized students' mental health with a specific focus on students of color. Recently, campuses have witnessed renewed calls for diversity and inclusion in the wake of anti-Black violence. Advocates have called for needed structural changes. To build upon these…

The authors of this article demonstrate best practices for creating belonging in economics, which allows diverse students to feel respected and accepted within the discipline. Opportunities to connect with economics allow students to understand and be empowered by the value they add to the classroom. The suggested practices thus include providing…

Although most teachers would acknowledge the impact relationships with their students have on the environmental climate in their gymnasium, this topic has been scarcely discussed. To date, there are few papers focusing on tangible strategies for developing, building, and enhancing the relationship between physical educators and their students.…

Peer mentors provide crucial social, academic, and campus community inclusion supports to students with intellectual disability enrolled in higher education. Research on the perspectives of peer mentors provides valuable insight into the impact that supporting students with intellectual disability has on both the students and the mentors. Research…

Ambassador training is an exemplary leadership development program for adult education students, staff, and administrators that creates networks of diverse learners who use their voices, stories, and skills for advocacy and social change. Student engagement and leadership development help learners expand their identities and horizons, define…

The Region 15 Comprehensive Center (R15CC) is federally funded to provide high-impact, customized, and responsive capacity-building technical assistance to state educational agencies (SEAs) in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. In 2022, R15CC established a regional Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Collaborative for SEA leaders in…

Efforts to address the identified needs of labeled groups of children (e.g. identified with disabilities, considered at-risk) may magnify difference and further stigmatize children labeled as different. In this article, we introduce a relational framework to the field of inclusive early childhood education that reframes perceptions of difference…

Inclusive Design is an approach to equitable and inclusive education, designed to support school administrators and educators to engage in focused conversations that include and honour the identities of students. "WHO" the students are in classrooms with is at the centre of this approach; Inclusive Design allows and encourages the…