In this study, we compared students' engagement in college and career readiness experiences between three academies and a traditional, comprehensive high school. The three academies differed on fidelity in implementing the NAF career academy model. We found that students in the high fidelity NAF academy engaged in both college and career readiness…

With teacher and leader workloads and burnout at an all-time high, it's time for de-implementation: de-prioritizing and deleting the less effective, higher-cost initiatives we implement in schools. De-implementation allows us to focus on practices that have more supporting evidence and a higher probability of positive impact on students, and at…

Teachers' training programs are widely recognized as essential for professional development and growth. This study aimed to explore how these programs affect teachers' ability to implement the curriculum effectively. A key focus was observing teachers' attitudes toward curriculum implementation following their training. The study assesses the…

Culturally responsive teaching practices (CRTP) can be used to engage diverse students and increase academic achievement. Schools have used CRTP in brick-and-mortar settings, but when schools pivoted to remote learning during the pandemic, teachers did not consistently use CRTP in the remote environments. The problem addressed by this study was…

Purpose: This paper examines instructional coaching as a means to support teachers at all levels in primary and secondary schools in implementing new and innovative practices using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as a design guide. Design/methodology/approach: This mixed-methods study compared the impact of an instructional…

There is growing recognition of the need and importance for high-quality science teaching and learning in early childhood. The increased emphasis on science stems from recognition of the following: (1) young children are curious and interested in making sense of the world around them (Larimore, 2020); (2) early science experiences not only support…

Contribution: This work examines the impact of a unique precollege STEM education initiative during its two pilot years. The study contributes to the growing body of research by unpacking the needs of and the impact on an important stakeholder group (i.e., the teachers) in the engineering education ecosystem to help inform the future design and…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to explore if and to what extent a correlation existed between the implementation of the Sown to Grow social and emotional learning curriculum, academic growth, and attendance. The study was grounded in the CASEL framework used by district leaders and curriculum designers to guide the…

Numerous research based social emotional learning curriculums are available to school districts. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact of Second Step, a researched social emotional learning curriculum, and the impact it had on kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students' discipline in school. This…

This study highlights the Community Schools (CS) implementation experience of five rural Vermont schools. Principals and CS coordinators participating in a state-funded program aimed at CS establishment were interviewed to understand better their experience with implementing a school/district-wide policy and reform effort. Findings suggest several…

Medical student engagement within their community fosters physicians that are better equipped to meet the needs of their local residents. Service-learning is an approach to community engagement that offers students the chance to prepare, engage, and reflect on service work. Additionally, a service-learning project supplements medical curriculum…

Many districts have adopted social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum that teachers must incorporate into their lessons. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation-in-practice was to explore teachers' perceptions of the quality of SEL program professional development (PD) for teachers at a small, rural West Texas high school. For this study,…

Research suggests that anti-racist teaching is the solution in classrooms to give students the ability to understand the origins of racism and to give them the ability to disrupt White Supremacy culture; however, there is a limited number of studies that look at anti-racist teaching in the classroom. The obstacle and challenge is how to implement…

Background/Context: The emphasis on scientific practices articulated by the National Research Council framework and the Next Generation Science Standards requires significant pedagogical shifts for U.S. science teachers. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: This study provides a rare window into the challenges and opportunities…

Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an evidence-based program developed in Australia that teaches young people in grades 10-12 how to identify and respond to signs of mental health challenges and crises among peers. Recognizing the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the USA, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership…