Purpose: This paper explores the emergence and shift in critical theories and problems-of-practice over the last 50 years. Design/methodology/approach: Quipu is an Incan record-keeping system used across the Andes. Using multiple strings of different colors, hundreds of different knots were used to count, record historical events. The underlying…

Educators can play a critical role in buffering LGBTQ youth from potential victimization. As such, the present study explored the following questions: 1) "What are the roles of educators" (i.e., teachers, school administrators) with respect to promoting and creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ youth"; 2) "what unique…

This study tested an empirical model of the relationship between "Personal Positive Youth Development" (PPYD) and two contextual factors: "Positive Parenting" (PP), and "Perception of the Climate and Functioning of the School" (PcfS). The hypothesis tested was that a positive relationship with parents and a positive…

Recent history has seen many schools shift from their original purpose of standardization and facts to focus on soft skills and global preparedness. The physical design of a school follows suit, shifting from identical classrooms and autonomous teachers to more collaborative shared spaces deemed 'innovative'. While those who formulate such schools…

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of preschooler PA in two separate environments (indoor/outdoor) on measures of executive functions in preschoolers. Eighteen preschool-age (3-5 years) children were recruited for the study. Participants of the study wore an accelerometer for 30 min during indoor classroom-based activities and 30 min…

This article provides excerpts of "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? What America Must Do to Attract and Retain the Educators and School Staff Our Students Need" by the AFT Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force. The report stands as recognition that teacher and school staff shortages have been caused by a long-term disinvestment in…

This research aims to develop learning environments through "Participatory Action Research" ("PAR") methodology in a specific context of the Department of Electronics, Nong Han Industrial and Community Education College. Three development outcomes are expected: (1) changes in expected and non-expected outcomes of action; (2)…

Online learning has increased in prominence across all levels of education, despite reported learner engagement being lower online than during in-person learning. Most learner engagement research and frameworks have focused on in-person learning environments but new frameworks and strategies for online learner engagement are emerging. In this…

Performance evaluation is based on comparison standards. Results can either be contrasted to former results (temporal comparison) or results of others (social comparison). Existing literature analyzed potential effects of teachers' stable preferences for comparison standards on students' learning outcomes. The present experiments investigated…

This commentary paper offers a broader definition of the construct of the home learning environment and an updated conceptual framework. Recent empirical research has burgeoned on the home learning environment and is mainly examining how processes mediate the way parenting practices influence a child's development and learning. By introducing the…

This study investigates instructor perspectives on undergraduate student mental health in a mid-sized comprehensive university in southwestern Ontario. Through a survey (n = 190) and two focus group discussions (n = 8), instructors reported different perspectives toward student mental health (some inclusive, some tolerant, and some…

This study examines various factors influencing teacher attrition. Relying on nationally representative, district-teacher matched data, we attempt to identify key determinants of teacher attrition by employing multilevel mixed-effects linear models, which control for commonalities among teachers within the same school district. We find that a…

When Nia Thornton became an assistant principal at Central Gwinnett High School in Georgia, one of her responsibilities was to lead professional learning for the school staff. She and the school leadership team were excited engage the staff in meaningful, day-to-day learning. They knew that their work needed to be rooted in current research and…

Entering kindergarten is one form of accelerating one's path through schooling. The unique needs of young learners require policies for early entrance to kindergarten to be flexible, and options for parents to be accessible and equitable across school districts and communities. In this article, the author discusses state policies for early…

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease was declared an international public health emergency as the virus spread across many countries and territories. Due to the rapid rate the virus was spreading, the South African president announced the closure of schools in March 2020. The protection of children and teachers was incredibly important.…