In this article, the author shares her experience with a student whose parents had immigrated from China. One parent spoke English, but the other parent did not--which led to them sometimes feeling isolated from their child's educational experience. This understanding enabled the author to adapt her school's communication methods to better meet…

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 "School Safety." Contents include: (1) Students Demand Safe, Supportive Schools:…

This qualitative case study explores how urban high schools implement a district-initiated student-voice program, referred to as Student Advisory Committees, intended to improve school climate. The study uses an implementation science framework to analyze interview data from principals and advisors in 22 urban high schools. An iterative, top-down…

This article argues for a Deweyan "democratic design" approach to program leadership that builds programmatic ideals into leadership practices. To illustrate democratic design in practice, we draw from case studies of two partnership programs based in writing studies--a writing partnership between the University of Arizona and area high…

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a large source of added sugar in teenagers' diets, comprising 20-25% of daily calories. Despite efforts, teens in rural and southern states continue to have the high SSB consumption rates. Using Teen Advisory Councils (TAC), students designed and delivered school-specific interventions at five Tennessee…

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 "Education Research." Contents include: (1) Mexican American Studies -- A Deep…

The purpose of this qualitative, single-site case study is to explore the impact of one middle school's advisory program on teachers' perceptions of student engagement and connectedness within the school community. Advisory programs have been identified as a critical component of effective middle schools by supporting students' academic and…

This study explored teachers' involvement in decision making processes in instructional leadership teams (ILTs) in three high-poverty high schools. Two factors influenced the extent of teachers' involvement and authority in decision making processes on the team: (1) the design of teachers' roles on the ILT and (2) routines used for agenda setting,…

School principals are taxed with implementing programs and initiatives to meet the social emotional needs of students. More schools are incorporating school advisory programs to help meet these needs. Due to a lack of studies on implementing high school advisory programs, this qualitative transcendental, phenomenological study explored the…

Sustained inquiry between school administrators and mental health professionals around critical incidents, school policy, and problems of practice is required to mitigate inequities so prominently illuminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration between school stakeholders with different role identities and positionalities gainfully blurs…

As a reviewer of middle level schools, their programs, policies, curricula, mission statements, instructional behaviors, assessment processes, and student-oriented community the author offers observations that can promote better student equity. He suggests: (1) "Producing Equity Belief Statements." Mission, Equity, or Inclusion…

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) has been monitoring international trends in reading achievement among fourth-grade students for 25 years. As a critical point in a student's education, the fourth year of schooling establishes the foundations of literacy, with reading becoming increasingly central to learning across all…

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality, relevance, benefits, and teacher preparedness of a student advisory that was implemented in a high school to improve student connectedness to the school. Students' and staff perceptions and ideas were collected and analyzed for the purpose of understanding whether the advisory was meeting its…

Background: Youth may be reluctant to seek health care from school health providers due to feeling embarrassed or stigmatized in the health office environment or worried about their confidentiality. The purpose of this project was to create a set of youth-centered health posters that promote youth engagement with nursing staff and to standardize…

Postsecondary readiness is critical to broadening opportunities for educational and career options beyond high school. However, Black males are often at a disadvantage to gaining access to postsecondary preparation and school counselors who can respond to their academic needs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and…