In the final month of 2024, a Newsweek article celebrated an apparent victory in the Lone Star State: "Texas' Teachers Are More Diverse Than California's." In Washington, D.C., the press was slightly more subdued, but still proud: "Teacher diversity is slowing down, but D.C, offers a bright spot." These and many other headlines…

Equity and inclusion in education are global priorities, and teachers play a vital role in promoting these values through diverse children's literature. Many U.S. classrooms feature extensive collections of inclusive books that foster cultural awareness and provide tools to address discrimination. This study supports global audiences in…

Stories about Black women's STEM journeys are limited in the literature. To build an innovative STEM ecosystem, all voices must be heard. Since students determine STEM career interest during their formative years, understanding K-12 experiences is crucial for promoting growth and inclusivity. Using a Black feminist thought framework, this study…

This project highlights a collection of innovative and interactive educational activities designed to stimulate student interest in a medically related career field. These activities were piloted with a class of 21 7th grade female students who live in predominantly low-income, African American, urban communities in and around Washington, D.C.…

Over the past decade, states and school districts have acted on research findings that the use of out-of-school suspension has run counter to the goals of education equity and achievement. Legislatures, as well as state and local boards of education, worked hard to shift school discipline practices through statutory and regulatory mandates and…

Current conceptions of STEM focus on the Western views of distinct academic disciplines--sciences, technologies, engineering, and mathematics. There are national and international initiatives aimed at increasing workforce and postsecondary participation in STEM-related fields, including individuals in under-represented groups. While the emphases…

We conducted a study to compare medical school experiences, values, career paths, and career satisfaction of under-represented in medicine (URiM) and non-URiM physicians approximately 15 years after medical school, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and the concept of stereotype threat. The sample consisted of four graduating classes,…

Out-of-school time (OST) programs serving predominantly racialized minority communities can help reduce racial disparities in STEM as they provide a culturally affirming learning environment that includes supportive staff of similar ethnic identities as the youth. However, staff at OST programs located in underserved communities that serve…

The gender imbalance in computer science (CS) is one of the most challenging issues in American education. CS is the only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field in which women's representation has steadily declined in recent decades. In this study, we explored one potential approach that could be effective in increasing…

Underrepresentation of females in the field of engineering is overwhelming and posing a serious concern to the human race, especially in the developing countries. This has grievous impacts on the socio-economic and environmental growth and development of the nation. The paper seeks to investigate: (i) female students' knowledge of the fields of…

Research has shown that university students approach STEM fields with preconceived notions that has the ability to influence their future STEM trajectories. Several scholarly investigations have explored pedagogical methodologies that not only recognize but actively validate the varied proficiencies that these pupils possess. This nested mixed…

In chemistry, women are still underrepresented in the postbaccalaureate stages. However, there has been limited discussion in STEM education that treats chemistry as a singular discipline and explores doctoral students' experiences from a mentoring perspective. This qualitative research study investigated how contextual factors (i.e., social…

This dissertation explored the career aspirations of Black and Latinx undergraduates in underrepresented health fields, crucial due to health disparities and social determinants. Using data from the 2015-2019 Higher Education Research Institute, the research analyzed factors impacting students' pursuit of healthcare careers through logistic…

English Learners (ELs) have become a significant part of classrooms in the United States, posing a challenge for teachers to provide an equitable education. Inadequate training and a weak understanding of bilingual students' literacy and language development make it difficult for teachers to make instructional decisions for reading instruction.…

Band repertoire lists evolved from a desire to make the school band experience "more educational" when school bands themselves were relatively new. The first national band repertoire list was created for the National Band Contest in 1924, with new lists published annually through 1943. These lists gave prominence to the literature they…