Education Commons^™

Moving Forward In The Wake Of The Pandemic: Shifting From Schools Acting Alone To Engaged Partnerships With Families And Communities, Sheri S. Williams

The William & Mary Educational Review

Workplace shortages are a top concern for schools in times of calm and even more troubling in times of stress. Burnout is especially widespread in stressful situations of disrupted learning, trauma, and discord (e.g., Diliberti & Schwartz, 2022; Thomas et al., 2019). In the wake of the pandemic, educators struggled to deal with the stressors on their own (IES, 2022). It became clear that schools could no longer work in isolation. Moving forward in the wake of the pandemic required an intentional shift in purpose from isolated classrooms to interconnected partnerships with families and communities. In the path to recovery, …

Engaging Latinx Students: A Path To Life-Long Learning, Paola Mendizabal

The William & Mary Educational Review

Although the Latino ethnic group is the largest minority and the fastest growing subgroup in the United States, they are one of the most underserved groups in public schools. This is due to many systemic issues; however, this paper focuses on student engagement. Increasing student engagement decreases student dropout rates. If we can foster high levels of engagement with Latinx students in K-12, they are more likely to graduate high school possibly with aspirations to further their education. This conceptual paper aims to answer the following questions: What factors inhibit and/or contribute to Latinx students' engagement? How do we engage …

Applying Street-Level Bureaucracy Theory To Understand The Barriers To The Implementation Of Restorative Justice In Public School Organizations, Eric J. Reed

The William & Mary Educational Review

This systematic review identifies the barriers to implementing restorative justice programs in public school organizations. Due to the novelty of restorative justice in schools, barriers often hamper the implementation process. Thus, it was necessary to identify barriers and how they can be mitigated. The PRISMA tool was utilized to examine 17 studies. The review harnessed Lipsky’s (1980) street-level bureaucracy framework to understand the roles of street-level bureaucrats in the education bureaucracy and to understand how the barriers align with the variables that comprise the framework. The results indicated that several barriers existed which include resources, bureaucratic discretion, and role ambiguity.

Development And Validation Of The Sense Of Belonging Among Counselor Education Students Survey (Sobaces)., Allison Fears

The William & Mary Educational Review

Sense of belonging among students has been studied extensively (Gopalan & Brady, 2020), and has been shown to be a predictor of success, engagement, and well-being in college students. While studies have investigated a sense of belonging amongst specific marginalized groups within a university (e.g. Duran et al., 2020; Lewis et al., 2021; Sims et al., 2020) there have been few studies that examine a sense of belonging among master students in counselor education programs. This paper will outline the development and validation of a new instrument, Sense of Belonging among Counselor Education Students (SOBACES).

Teachers’ Social Media Use And Its Legal Implications, Martha Crockett, Lavare Henry, Stephanie Mcguire, Ayse Gurdal

The William & Mary Educational Review

As society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, school leaders must navigate the evolution of websites, resources, and platforms, including social media, as part of their responsibility to facilitate a safe and productive learning environment for students. This article reviews both constitutional and case law as a means of informing educational leaders of their rights and duties, as well as providing a foundation upon which effective K-12 social media policies and practices for educators can be built. Specifically, we offer an analysis of landmark cases involving the First Amendment and free speech, the delicacy around teachers’s roles as both public employees …

“Quasi-Governmental Power”: Examining Litigation Between The Southern Association Of Colleges And Schools Commission On Colleges And Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Rachel E. Smith

The William & Mary Educational Review

In the United States, higher education accreditation is the process through with regional and specialized accreditors extend seals of approval to institutions and programs that meet specific standards for education quality and institutional stability. Regional accreditors, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), exercise significant authority over the institutions they accredit. This authority has been termed “quasi-governmental power” because accreditors work on behalf of the government to ensure education quality and determine access to federal aid. Accrediting organizations are also the final authority for accreditation decisions. If an institution disagrees with an accreditation outcome …

Assessment Beliefs And Practices Of Literature-In-English Teachers In Nigeria, Eucharia Okwudilichukwu Ugwu

The William & Mary Educational Review

This study examined secondary school teachers' beliefs about the purpose, importance, and principles of assessment. Forty-seven Literature-in-English teachers in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria, were sampled using the mixed-method research design. Literature-in-English Teachers' Assessment Beliefs Questionnaire (r=.76) and Literature-in-English Students' Class-Assessment Checklist were used in collecting quantitative data. Ten teachers were interviewed. Analyses of data suggest that teachers considered assessment an essential element of teaching, but they could not translate their beliefs into practice. Possible causes of the inconsistencies were not established, suggesting areas for future research. Some recommendations were made.

Enhancing Collaborative Learning Through Design For Learning, Amelie D. Smucker, Sarah M. Nuss

The William & Mary Educational Review

As K-12 educators work toward targeted, small group instruction together with college and career readiness skills, many implement collaborative learning experiences within their classrooms. Collaborative learning can help students develop deeper understandings of content while building critical life-long skills, and using a design for learning approach provides teachers with a useful framework for planning, implementing, and reflecting on student learning. Together, these approaches support one another by helping teachers engage in three practical implementation tasks: designing collaborative learning environments, overcoming barriers to collaborative practices, and designing successful learning tasks. We recommend that teachers use design for learning techniques to purposefully …

Violence Against The Academy: A Comparative Analysis Of Attacks And Implications For The Future Of Higher Education, Stephanie M. Lezotte

The William & Mary Educational Review

Attacks on education, both physical and symbolic in nature, have various motives and consequences, and thus attempts at comparison can be challenging. This article is a descriptive comparative analysis of political attacks on higher education, defined for this purpose as attacks supported, ignored, or perpetuated by political powers. The units of analysis are Zimbabwe and Iraq, selected for their historical contexts that include long-term oppressive regimes and violence against higher education. This article employs document collection as a methodological approach and Galtung’s (1990) Violence Triangle as a lens for document analysis. Contextual equivalency between Zimbabwe and Iraq is established, political …

An Evolution Of Values: An Examination Of The Rise Of Accountability And Equity Oriented Reform In Career And Technical Education, Jerome A. Graham Iii

The William & Mary Educational Review

Competing societal and political values have historically facilitated shifts in the policies surrounding, the goals of, and the practices within Career and Technical Education (CTE). These values, however, are malleable and are developed in response to demands wrought by economic need. This review sheds light on how a confluence of societal and political factors facilitated changes in the values, goals, and practices of vocational education. In so doing, the present manuscript seeks to underscore how modern attitudes about schooling and society may shape the current landscape of the field. This article highlights how shifts in the political and social climate …

Letter From The Editor-In-Chief, Jamon Flowers

The William & Mary Educational Review

No abstract provided.

The Tenure-Track Life: Experiences Of New Faculty In Tenure-Track Positions, David R. Gosling, Nancy M. Chae, Jeremy R. Goshorn

The William & Mary Educational Review

This study details the experiences of new faculty in tenure-track positions without prior experience in academia beyond the post-doctoral level. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted using phenomenological methodology with six faculty members meeting the criteria at a mid-sized, public institution in the southeastern United States with a reputation for academic excellence and a Research 2 (R2) Carnegie classification. Findings highlight the tension found between subcomponents of professorial life and the continued struggles of minority faculty. Implications for future research are given, to include the need for a deep exploration of the rhyme and reasons of the tenure process.

Managing Stress In A Time Of Increased Pressure: Perspectives From University Presidents, Russell S. Thacker, Sydney Freeman, Jr.

The William & Mary Educational Review

The modern university presidency continues to become more complex, resulting in numerous personal and professional stresses placed on a president. This study explores the sources, impacts, and successful prevention and management of stress in the position. Data for the study comes from qualitative phenomenological interviews with five sitting presidents of public and private universities in the United States. Using a theoretical lens derived from executive stress theory, the authors examine the degree to which a need for personal control and stability play a role in producing stress and motivating certain stress responses. Meaningful relationships, positive mindsets, and repeatable practices of …

Progress For Low Income Students, Johann Ducharme

The William & Mary Educational Review

This essay argues in favor of Mike Rose's assertion that funding cuts to education have a detrimental effect on numerous factors, including stunted job growth in America, not remaining innovative and competitive in global markets, as well as attaining the college graduation goals set by Department of Education. In agreeing with Rose, the author provides comprehensive reasoning and data from numerous national centers: Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, American Council on Education (ACE), The College Board, and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The author also examines the weaknesses of Rose’s arguments as he neglects to define …

Hark Upon The Gayle: A Depiction Of The Experiences Of The First Women Students At William & Mary, Yi Hao, Lisa Milne

The William & Mary Educational Review

As William & Mary celebrates the 100th anniversary of admitting women students as the first public college in Virginia to institute a co-educational system, this paper explores the life and times of the women who have shaped the College’s legacy for future women students. In researching the first women at William & Mary, we have found historical documentation, such as personal papers (letters and surveys) from both women students of the class of 1918 and a prior researcher; the Flat Hat, a student-run newspaper at the College; meeting minutes from the College Board of Visitors; William & Mary President Lyon …

Start With Self-Determination: Advancing Postsecondary Outcomes Of Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tara E. Regan

The William & Mary Educational Review

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have the poorest post-high school, or postsecondary, outcomes in comparison to their peers with and without disabilities. They experience low levels of engagement or even lack of engagement in employment, education, independent living, and community activities. As a result, these outcomes place a heavier load on families, professionals, and communities that support the ASD population throughout their lifespan. Therefore, the cost of taking care of this population is rising, with a current estimate of over $40 billion per year. In disability literature, self-determination (i.e., autonomy and empowerment) has been identified as a predictor of …

Toward More Student-Centered Instruction: The Advent Of Teacher Noticing And Responsiveness In Mathematics And Science Education Research, Benjamin K. Campbell

The William & Mary Educational Review

The topic of teacher noticing has been refined in the mathematics education literature over the last 15 years. Researchers who study noticing have established a complex definition of this process, which encompasses how a teach- er identifies, evaluates, and considers responding to a student’s classroom contribution. They have also developed a variety of techniques to measure a teacher’s capacity to engage in noticing and have documented how this capacity can change over time with certain interventions or experiences. Science education researchers have more recently begun studying noticing. Among other results, their efforts have yielded the concept of responsiveness to further …

College Didn’T Prepare Me For This: The Realities Of The Student Debt Crisis And The Effect It Is Having On College Graduates, April Perry, Cassandra Spencer

The William & Mary Educational Review

Student loans are like a dark cloud looming above 41 million Americans (Perna, Kvall, & Ruiz, 2017). Through young adults’ personal accounts and relevant literature, we aimed to explore how student debt has altered the lives of college graduates and what can be done to educate students before they graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. To provide context, we first discuss a brief history of student loans and address what we know from the literature about the burden of student debt. Next, we address the factors that contribute to the student debt crisis and the effects of …

Integration Of Learning In Counselor Education, Sean Newhart

The William & Mary Educational Review

Integration of learning (IOL) has been defined as an essential learning out- come in higher education. The IOL model describes the process of learning through three types of integration: connection, application, and synthesis. This manuscript applies the IOL model to counselor education in order to examine how counselor education programs implement the model. Andragogic approaches in counselor education programs are highlighted utilizing the three types of integration, illustrating how these programs exemplify integration. Implications for future research are also discussed.

Public/Private Partnership Schools In New Zealand: Justifications And Context, Mark Olofson

The William & Mary Educational Review

Recent policy changes in the New Zealand educational context have introduced privatization into the system through partnership schools. Parties on all sides of the issue use a framework of economic values consisting of efficiency, equity, and liberty to frame themselves and their opposition. This holistic case study uses interviews, observations, and field evidence to explore how partnership and public schools align themselves with these values, and how public discourse frames both types of schools. Cross analysis of the different voices revealed differences in constructions concerning innovation, how best to serve struggling learners, school funding, and school evaluation. These differences fuel …

Teaching Kids To Care: A Needs-Based Intervention To Increase Ethical Sensitivity In Schools, Rebecca Friedman

The William & Mary Educational Review

Character education programming is gaining popularity in America’s schools as a way to raise an intelligent and caring generation of students. However, many schools fail to allocate time, money, and resources to such initiatives. The present study examined the impact of an ethical sensitivity intervention in a religiously affiliated independent school. A self-report Likert scale and analytic rubric were used to measure development of different sub-skills of ethical sensitivity in fourth and fifth grade students (N = 25) before and after the intervention over a two-month period. Results suggest that the degree of ethical sensitivity increased over the course of …

Raising The Charter School Cap In Massachusetts: The Consequence Of An Uncapped Neoliberal Rationality, Nicole L. Semas-Schneeweis

The William & Mary Educational Review

In September 2015, Governor Charlie Baker announced his support for raising the charter school cap in Massachusetts. This announcement has sparked a heated debate about funding for public education that problematically ignores neoliberal ideology. The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 began a reign of neoliberalism impacting education policies. An Act Relative to the Achievement Gap in 2010 saw an intensification of this privatization and free market ideology with its explicit support of charter alternatives. Achievement has become based on standardized assessments that presume a static, ethnocentric view of knowledge. Neoliberal ideology reinforces white Eurocentrism and a meritocratic rationale, disregarding …

Critical Education & New Teachers’ Beliefs: A New Niche For Educational Research, Kate Rollert French

The William & Mary Educational Review

Beliefs about teaching influence practice and can play a powerful role in the day-to-day decision-making of teachers. Pre-service teachers commonly accrue their original set of beliefs about teaching from teacher preparation programs or personal experiences, but unlike teachers with more experience, new teachers are most susceptible to changing their beliefs about teaching once they become official teachers of record. If these beliefs change in a negative way, such as by adopting a set of beliefs that views students and communities through a deficit lens, or only capable of achieving less than their privileged counterparts, then schools will continue to foster …

Conceptual Model Of Educational Planning And Program Evaluation: Addressing Deficit Thinking At The Top, Melanie Lichtenstein

The William & Mary Educational Review

Deficit thinking has been attributed to on-going academic and social inequities in school districts. Scholars have discussed addressing deficit thinking before educators enter the classroom through pre-service teacher programs. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding educational leaders’ perceptions and belief systems of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students. The impact of deficit thinking at the leadership level can influence program, policy, and planning decisions that can negatively impact any educational change efforts. This conceptual model of educational planning and evaluation will suggest an approach to change the deficit thinking of school district leaders such as superintendents, school …

The Influence Of Teacher Unionization On Educational Outcomes: A Summarization Of The Research, Popular Methodologies And Gaps In The Literature, Sarah Guthery

The William & Mary Educational Review

This paper summarizes the research on the relationship between teacher unionization and educational outcomes at the state, district, school, and individual (student) levels. Although teachers are the largest organized professionals in the United States, much of educational policy literature has ignored unionization as a subject of study. An emerging consensus from the literature believes that collective bargaining raises teacher pay, increases district expenditure and reduces class size; however, union influence on student outcomes has not yet been established. The literature is unclear as to whether or not teacher unionization is associated with student graduation rates or standardized test scores.

The Impact Of Positive Psychology On Higher Education, Noël Williams, Leah Horrell, Dawn Edmiston, Mackenzie Brady

The William & Mary Educational Review

Research identifies the contributions of positive psychology to higher education success through an emphasis on strengths-based education. This paper examines the dynamics of higher education, defines positive psychology, discusses various approaches to student success, and evaluates the benefits of positive psychology on student engagement and institutional effectiveness. By applying strengths-based education within colleges and universities, educators can exercise positive psychology to enhance students’ growth by helping these students to thrive and flourish in their personal and professional lives.

Engagement At A Distance: Reflections On Student Learning And Parent Engagement In A Physics Classroom, Anuraag Sensharma

The William & Mary Educational Review

New technology, including online gradebooks and learning management systems, allow schools to remotely involve families in their children's educations. This "engagement at a distance", as well as its impact on student learning, is examined through the lens of the author's experiences as a student-teacher. It is argued that while a holistic and meaningful form of family engagement is ideal, engagement at a distance is more detrimental to student learning than no engagement at all.

Lessons On Collaboration, Jake Todd

The William & Mary Educational Review

Reflections from a pre-service teacher on the initial experiences of working with students whose home environment affected their ability to fully participate in the classroom. The focus of this reflection is understanding ways to figure out who was the most appropriate person to impact a student's life.

Reflection On A Narrative By Faculty Of Color, Marian Stordahl, Keonghee T. Han

The William & Mary Educational Review

The experience of a woman faculty of color (WFOC) teaching in a traditionally homogenous, rural American community college reveals the presence of racialized attitudes among students, educators, and administrators. Individuals’ orientation to White Identity is revealed in the encounters of a culturally diverse professor and American colleagues working in her institution. In the absence of meaningful reflection, Caucasian American students and faculty – themselves participants in the lives of local communities – reproduce institutional discrimination.

Keywords: academic freedom, discrimination, prejudice, social dominance theory, White Identity development

Rootedness Research: Local Possibility Amid A Cosmopolitan Network, Christopher R. Ongaro, Kelly C. Johnston

The William & Mary Educational Review

For this paper the authors combined Howley, Howley, and Pendarvis’s (2003) concerns about cosmopolitanism with Deleuze and Guattari’s (1987) rhizomatic theory to conduct a threefold historical analysis and, ultimately, describe a tentative research framework, namely rootedness research. Concerns about cosmopolitanism were contextualized through exemplar worldviews. The worldviews served as a backdrop for an analysis of U.S. federal education policy, research on teaching and teacher preparation, and education’s presence in court cases. The analysis supported concerns about cosmopolitanism’s consequences and demonstrated how a network of factors contributed to a centralizing trend in education. The authors’ theory of rootedness research emerged as …