In this article, the authors examine (second) author Elma's teaching and learning, as it has been and continues to be shaped by her experiences in education. The authors interrogate her experiences in teacher education and in the K-12 system, considering the closed doors that she has encountered. The authors discuss how these experiences have…

Why conduct education research? To answer questions that we have about our students, add to our knowledge of good teaching, and investigate new theories based on observations we have made in our classrooms, schools, or communities. This qualitative research methods case illustrates a study we undertook to better understand how teachers use close…

This design was intended to act as a template for technology integration for preservice teachers in an English language arts class. However, the unintended result was a celebration of cultural heritage and increased classroom community. Through the project, 23 preservice teachers used online tools to design digital scrapbook pages that reflected…

As a result of high-stakes testing pressure and financial strain within schools, fine arts programs continue to be cut from K-12 education. While research indicates the benefits of music related to learning, brain development, and reading (Kraus, Hornickel, Strait, Slater, & Thompson, 2014), many students do not receive instruction in the fine…

In this article Ernest Morrell argues that while it is right and important to focus on contemporary literacies, it would be erroneous to assume that digital tools are the real essence of any powerful classroom interaction. No matter what technological innovations arise, the core classroom transactions are between teachers and students, students…

A common theme has been consistently woven through the literature on teacher professional development: that practice-based designs and collaboration are two components of effective teacher learning models. In addition to collaboration and practice-based designs, inquiry cycles have been long recognized as catalysts for teacher professional…

This paper presents a framework intended to link the following assessment development concepts into a systematic framework: evidence-centered design (ECD), scenario-based assessment (SBA), and assessment of, for, and as learning. The context within which we develop this framework is the English language arts (ELA) for K-12 students, though the…

In 2012, The New York Institute of Technology and the Albany Institute of History & Art collaborated to increase the capacity of museum educators and classroom teachers to develop successful partnerships and deliver new programs through the use of web-based technologies. The project aligned the content expertise of museum educators from…

Issues of disconnect and isolation from other disciplines seem to plague numerous subjects taught in high schools today. Although they share common roots, mathematics, natural sciences and humanities appeared to have developed rich, but separated curricula with only occasionally emphasized and seemingly weak connections between their respective…

Music teachers may integrate a variety of English language arts content standards into their curriculum to enhance students' music experiences while also supporting their language development. John M. Feierabend and Melanie Champagne's picture book adaptation of "My Aunt Came Back" lends itself to multiple singing and discussion…

Understanding text can increase access to educational, vocational, and recreational activities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, limited research has been conducted investigating instructional practices to remediate or compensate for these comprehension challenges. The current comprehensive literature review expanded…

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of states working together to develop a modern assessment that replaces previous state standardized tests. It provides better information for teachers and parents to identify where a student needs help, or is excelling, so they are able to enhance instruction to…

The "PARCC College- and Career-Ready (CCR) Determinations in ELA/literacy and mathematics" describe the academic knowledge, skills, and practices in English language arts/literacy and mathematics students must demonstrate to show they are able to enter directly into and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing courses and relevant…

The Common Core State Standards Initiative adopted a goal of having every student in the United States college and career ready by the end of high school. As a result, the CCSS English/Language Arts have influenced the way teachers approach literacy instruction. Since the implementation of the CCSS (or standards similar to the actual CCSS but that…

Purpose: This study aims to draw from overlapping scholarship in critical policy studies and governmentality studies to examine how recent standards-based education policies mark a pivotal shift in the aims and governance of English education. Design/methodology/approach: The author traces this shift through a comparative analysis of the past two…