Education Commons^™

Is This The Best Way? The Impact Of Out-Of-School Suspension On Middle Grades Students, Lianne Jones

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Suspension is a commonly used discipline approach in schools across the country. In particular, out-of-school suspension refers to a student's removal from the school setting for a period of time, typically no more than five school days. Although out-of-school suspensions have been traditionally reserved for major behavioral infractions, they are not being more frequently utilized for repeated misbehaviors and classroom disruptions. Studies show that punitive disciplinary measures are often ineffective in eradicating student misbehavior and contribute negatively to students' life outcomes and success in school. Moreover, suspensions are disproportionately applied to certain groups of students including minorities, boys, economically disadvantaged …

The Emerging Scholars Issue: Continuous Learning Through A Personal And Professional Lens, Lakia M. Scott, Taylor D. Bunn

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The Emerging Scholars program offers ongoing mentoring, personalized feedback, and opportunities for individual and collaborative scholarly development. Participants are encouraged to present at the Texas-NAME annual conference and publish their research in the Journal of Multicultural Affairs' special issue for Emerging Scholars. The publication process is supportive, beginning with mentorship and discussions on manuscript organization. Peer review involves the mentor, a contributing author, and previous emerging scholars as reviewers, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes learning and idea development. The issue's topics revolve around challenges faced by students of color, exploring issues such as out-of-school suspensions, the impact of COVID-19 …

A Strategic Exploration Of Bilingual Education Policy: An Interpretive Policy Analysis, Abbie Strunc, Helen Berg, Amber J. Godwin

School Leadership Review

Language diversity in the United States has always been part of its history, yet policy and funding have not always promoted bilingualism or multiculturalism. Throughout the history of bilingual education, administrators, politicians, and policymakers have changed their preferences and practices in response to trends and ideological shifts (Crawford, 2004). Even with a plethora of research regarding the benefits of bilingualism and biliteracy in support of bilingual education (Baker, 201; Camilleri, 1996; Fuh Suh, 2022; Goodman, & Tastanbek, 2021; McCarty, 1980), the literature on bilingual policy exclusively focuses on the use of two languages as languages of instruction with the sole …

The Role Of Stakeholders: Implications For Continuous Improvement In Principal Preparation, Ethel M. Arzu, Tia Agan, Gary J. Miller, Kevin Badgett

School Leadership Review

Research conducted in partnership with the Wallace Foundation and the Education Development Center revealed the importance of school principals on the success of student achievement and attendance, as well as on teacher efficacy and retention. The implications of this research reveal the importance of stronger and more focused principal preparation programs. Therefore, the Wallace Foundation established a continuous improvement process that engages teams of program faculty and stakeholders in conducting evidence-based assessments of program quality. In this article, three programs document their experiences with the self-study process. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the collaborative role that stakeholders play …

Potential For Shared Vision: What Gt Middle School Teachers Say They Need In Times Of Transition, Michelle L. Leverette

School Leadership Review

"Potential for shared vision: What GT middle school teachers say they need in times of transition" aims to provide relevant data that speaks to current campus needs in a time of pandemic-affected era transitional learning in PK-12 public education. As current educational leaders seek to address the academic and behavioral needs of students, the findings from this research study taken during Covid protocols express three areas of need: (a) a need for open lines of communication between teachers and parents of GT students, (b) a need for clarification of the definition of GT middle school student “success”, and (c) a …

2022 Tcpea Outstanding Dissertation Of The Year Research Summary, Ijeoma Anugweje Ed.D., Jennifer Grace Dissertation Advisor

School Leadership Review

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of administrative support on teachers in Title I schools during the Coronavirus pandemic. This study added to the knowledge base by providing information on teachers' work experiences in Title I schools during the Coronavirus pandemic. This study included a review of data collected from interviews of elementary teachers in a Title 1 district. A purposeful sample of 12 teachers who worked in Title 1 elementary schools during the Coronavirus pandemic were interviewed. The interviews provided an in-depth understanding of the teachers’ perceptions on administrative support during the pandemic in Title …

School Leaders’ Supports Of Dual Language Science Teachers, Monica E. Manning, Casey Graham Brown

School Leadership Review

English learners account for 21.7% of the Texas public school system (Texas Education Agency, 2022). This qualitative study was conducted to examine how teachers of English learners in a dual language program perceived the educational supports they received affected student achievement in science. Teacher participants were asked about their experiences with administrative supports and how those supports affected their teaching and student performance. Two administrators were also interviewed for the study.

The teacher participants identified administrative supports they perceived to be beneficial to student learning and to the functioning of the EL program and science classroom. The administrative supports identified …

More Than A Test Score: Toward A More Balanced School Accountability System, Joel A. Leader, Barbara L. Pazey

School Leadership Review

Using a zone of mediation framework, we explore how one school district designed a community-based accountability system (CBAS) reflecting community stakeholders’ values, priorities, and goals. We collected rich data sets from a document analysis, focus group, and individual interviews. Our findings indicated a strong dissatisfaction with test-based accountability that led the district to engage its stakeholders in designing a CBAS using multiple achievement measures to report on district success. The importance of collaboration with other districts and leaders at the local, regional, and state levels also emerged. This study highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement, leadership, and collaboration when making …

Tharp’S Funnel: Understanding The Present Through An Understanding Of The Past, Alejandra Y. Martinez, Dayna Parrish

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Inspired by the changes precipitated by 2020 and 2021, the authors introduce Tharp's (1994) Funnel and Filters of Development and his emphasis on ethnogenetic analysis as a framework to understand current conditions and events. In doing so, we aim to provide a lens to better grasp the issues that our nation faces and propose it as a tool to disrupt the ongoing pattern of social injustice. This framework is introduced with a discussion on some of the unfortunate, yet significant, events that have unfolded in 2020 and 2021, followed by an explanation of Tharp's Funnel and its application to contemporary …

Book Review Of Beyond Provincialism: Promoting Global Competencies In Teacher And Educator Preparation, David Sandles

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

With an increased emphasis on intercultural and global competence, teacher preparation programs around the world are stridently searching for growth opportunities for students in these areas. An important resource to this discussion is Beyond Provincialism: Promoting Global Competencies in Teacher and Educator Preparation, which supplies readers with scholarly, pragmatic approaches to developing students’ knowledge quotients with salient ideas that revolve around food insecurity, school improvement, communities of practice, mathematics education, internationalization of the curriculum, place-based education, and distance learning. Expertly linking these global issues to the United Nation’s Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), the authors seek to educate educator preparation …

How To Be An Anti-Racist Educator: A Book Review Through An Educational Perspective, Maria Cristina F. Soares, Melanie Morales

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The authors reviewed the book How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (2019) while reflecting on how Kendi’s brilliant dismantlement of racism and discrimination would help educators become conscious of how racism operates in our society, their schools, and their communities. Kendi’s book could motivate teachers to self-reflect on intrinsic feelings and misconceptions about race and culture built over time, allowing them to adopt new attitudes towards their students and school community. The authors considered the need to reevaluate systemic racism in schools as research has, for instance, found evidence of discriminatory practices towards African American boys (Gregory …

Native Knowledge 360° (Nk360°) Essential Understandings Framework: Reflections Using The Five Level Evaluation Model, Ashlyn Lafleur, Sarah Straub

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This paper explores participant takeaways regarding the Native Knowledge 360° workshop on artists and activism. The researcher utilized a five-step evaluation model (Kartal et al., 2019) to reflect upon belief, learning, reaction, transfer, and results. This professional development tool focuses on teacher level understanding and the transferability of lessons learned to the student results. The paper includes an example of transfer and a reflection on student results.

Exploration Of The Relationships Between Principal Preparation Program Admission Requirements And Program Performance, Summer Pannell

School Leadership Review

Admission criteria for principal preparation programs vary from state to state and even amongst universities within the same state. Despite the recommendation nearly two decades ago to connect admission criteria to leadership standards, little research has been done to help develop such criteria. This study examined principal preparation program admissions requirements at one southern university to determine if a relationship existed between admission criteria, academic program performance, and performance on educational leadership licensure assessments. The Pearson product-moment correlation found a statistically significant correlation between, both, the GRE and GRE Writing assessments and the School Leadership Licensure Assessment for educational administrator …

Educational Accountability And Equity: Superintendent Perspectives, John Decman, Jennier Grace, Felix Simieou Iii, Queinnise Miller

School Leadership Review

Educational equity is understood as the recognition of a school system to ensure resources to safeguard that all students have equitable access, opportunity, and outcomes (Galloway & Ishimaru, 2015). Yet inequity persists in the American educational system. School accountability remains at the forefront of education policy to ensure equitable achievement between students from all backgrounds regardless of race, ethnicity, family income, linguistic background, and ability (Krejsler, 2018; Skrla, 2001). This article reflects a qualitative approach to understanding public school superintendent voices regarding experiences, feelings, and beliefs related to our ongoing era of accountability in a changing social environment.

This study …

#Teacherquittok: A Content Analysis Of How Current And Former Teachers Navigate Attrition On Tiktok, Forrest J. Kaiser

School Leadership Review

No abstract provided.

"The Road Less Traveled: Why Black Males Choose Alternative Routes That Lead To Education", Felix Simieou Iii, Queinnise Miller, Jennier Grace, John Decman

School Leadership Review

This study uses critical race theory and qualitative interviews to understand the perspectives of 10 Black males that have entered the field of education through non-traditional routes. It seeks to highlight the rationale for not choosing education as a first option, what eventually led them into the field, and finally how educational leaders might better recruit. As the field continues to evolve with demographics still heavily favoring women, decision makers in school districts, universities, and alternative certification programs need to understand the best methods to recruit and retain Black males in education. The findings of this research will benefit these …

The Diversity In Creating A New Dream: A Black Man’S Journey From Sports To Human Resources, Sagirah Wheeler

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Issues of diversity explores a variety of social, political, and educational issues as it relates to the education of individuals in a culturally diverse world. Through the process of reading, reflection, and discussion, individuals are able to learn about trends and challenges individuals face related to their experiences and cultural backgrounds. This article explores the author’s narrative interview with Cameron (a pseudonym) as he discusses his life experiences on his path as an athlete and as a professional. This article explores Cameron’s experiences and obstacles he overcame to transition from athletics to the workforce. Additionally, this article investigates the issues …

Bridging The Cultural Divide: A Single Case Study To Describe The Lived Experiences Of A High School Senior From A Mexican American Working-Class Family, Nadine E. Franz

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

ABSTRACT

Bridging the Cultural Divide:

A Single Case Study to Describe the Lived Experiences of a High School Senior from a Mexican American Working-Class Family

The United States’ education system lacks a commitment to multicultural education. This failure to validate all students’ cultural assets is problematic. Multicultural education challenges the status quo to change schools to validate the diverse backgrounds of students of color (Banks, 1993; Banks & Banks, 2015). The United States education system must adopt a multicultural education policy that focuses on equity, freedom, and diversity to ensure students’ success (Grant & Tate, 1995). Consequently, schools and students …

Bridging The Cultural Divide: A Single Case Study Exploring Connections Between Multi-Cultural Education, Identity, Self-Esteem And Leadership, Amy Britton

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This qualitative single case study explores connections between multicultural education, identity development, self-esteem, and leadership. The study focuses on the lived experiences of a lifelong learner, educator, and leader in higher education with the pseudonym, Rachel. The interview with Rachel traced how she experiences diversity within her academic experiences as a learner and her professional experiences as an educator and leader.

Student, Teacher, Mother, Wife: A Constant Learner’S Education And Call To Action, Taylor D. Bunn

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The purpose of this reflective single case study was to explore one woman’s perspectives on learning from childhood to adulthood. Though friendly, gregarious, and well-liked, she never quite fit in with others. Well into adulthood, she realized she was gay, prompting her to reflect on her formal and informal education, professional experiences, and personal relationships. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Freire’s (1970) conscientization as an underlying framework. The subject openly discussed her struggles, successes, and worldview, candidly reflecting on where the system failed her and how she hopes educators will seize opportunities to learn alongside …

Not 'Fit In More,' I Would Say 'Stand Out Less': Dialogical Learning With A Filipino-American High School Student In A Predominantly White High School: A Case Study, Cristofer G. Slotoroff Ed.D.

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This piece seeks to amplify the voice of Jamie: a Filipino-American student in a predominantly White high school. Through a series of dialogues, the researcher seeks to take an intentional, purposeful step toward uncovering how Jamie's understanding of her school's cultural makeup influences her education, her self-conception, and her identity.

Through a series of qualitative interviews, the researcher seeks to value the singularity of Jamie's experience while, alternatively, taking note of how a better knowledge of her circumstances lends insight into the nuanced educational experiences of minority students in predominantly White schools. Using Shields's (2004) dialogical leadership for social justice …

Bridging The Cultural Divide: Learning With Kayla, Ashley Gibson

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Originally written as a doctoral paper in the fall of 2018 when the researcher was a doctoral student in Baylor University’s School of Education program, this article is an account of a single-subject case study as a mini-research project for a course titled EDC 5392, or Issues in Diversity. As a teacher, the doctoral student and emerging researcher chose one of her students as the subject for this study. This article aims to share the learning of an emerging adult scholar throughout the research process and to contribute an example of a teacher building critical consciousness around multicultural and anti-bias/antiracist …

Mathematics Tracking: Policy Brief, Melissa P. Donham

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Tracking is a long-standing practice in schools. Students are often placed in tracks beginning in upper elementary or middle school. The tracks in which students are placed in earlier grades set them up for the mathematics courses they are able to take in high school. The number of mathematics tracks for students can differ from school to school, but the policy of having mathematics tracks is common throughout schools in the United States. This policy brief will discuss the arguments for and against mathematics tracking policies, implications for educators and policymakers, and future directions.

Policy Brief: Exploring Response To Intervention’S Effectiveness With Students Of Color, Camille S. Talbert

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This policy analysis explores the effectiveness of Response to Intervention (RTI) at diminishing racial disproportionalities in special education. It includes a brief review of the legislative context of RTI. It also examines one contributing factor to the effectiveness of RTI—educator ideologies. The analysis concludes with implications and future policy directions.

The Intersection Of Academic Freedom And Trigger Warnings, Ashleigh Maldonado

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The purpose of this policy brief is to explore the intersection of academic freedom and trigger warnings. The author argues that the vague language within academic freedom policies and the blurred lines between judicial jurisdiction over first amendment rights and institutional jurisdiction over academic freedom policies sets the stage for future limitations on teachers’ rights within the classroom. Te author also argues that while much attention is given to the academic freedoms of instructors, more attention should be afforded to the academic freedoms of students when considering their requests for trigger warnings.

Reporting Of Doctoral Student Attrition: A Policy Brief, Cece Lively

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Roughly half of all doctoral students in the United States will never complete their degree requirements (Council of Graduate Schools, 2020). That staggering number is larger for ethnic minority and female students, particularly for Black students who have the lowest completion rate (47 percent) and who make up only 13 percent of doctoral degrees (Lovitts, 2001). Additionally, retention rates for online students are an additional 10 to 20 percent lower than students who attend in-person (Rovai & Wighting, 2005). Thus, ethnic minority students in online doctoral programs are at a higher risk of not finishing their degrees compared to other …

Out Of Left Field? Requiring Expertise To Teach Secondary Science: A Policy Brief, Dana Morris

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Teachers are considered the most influential factor in student learning outcomes (Burroughs et al., 2019; Luft et al., 2015, 2020). Their influence in the modern science classroom affects academic opportunities and the overall scientific literacy of our future society. Nonetheless, high school science teacher shortages exist across the United States, and low standards are the norm for new teachers entering the field. Compounding the problem is the presumption by most states that obtaining the expertise to teach one discipline in science qualifies a teacher to teach any area of science (National Council on Teacher Quality, 2010). Although No Child Left …

The Emerging Scholars Issue: Insights On Teaching And Leading Through Reshaping Policy And Practice, Lakia M. Scott, Taylor D. Bunn

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The Emerging Scholars program began at the 2019 Texas-NAME conference with five graduate students, four of which were enrolled in a doctoral program. Students participated in preconference workshops on establishing a research agenda, understanding academia and higher education institutions, and creating a network as an education researcher. Since its inception, the program has continued introducing students to collaborations and publication opportunities through Texas-NAME. This special issue provides doctoral students (some of whom have since graduated) with an opportunity to be single-authors in their scholar. Organized in three distinct sections, readers will be exposed to research and policy briefs and critical …

Exploring The Use Of Witness Testimony In Special Education Due Process Hearings, Mary E. Sheppard, Samantha Riggleman, William Blackwell

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) protects the rights of parents and/or guardians of children with disabilities to utilize the due process system to settle disagreements with school districts regarding their children’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). In the event that these disputes move before a due process hearing officer, it is common for each side to enlist experts to provide testimony to support one of the parties involved. In the current study, we examined the use of expert witness testimony in due process hearings in five large states throughout the United States. Findings indicated several concerning trends, such …

My Muse Of Fire Is Ubuntu: My Black Lives Matter Re-Awakening Of Purpose, Gwendolyn C. Webb

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Poetry, as a genre, allows one to express emotion as a tool to stimulate thought and action. This piece shares the importance of culturally responsive leadership and teaching from the perspective of a university professor seeking to strengthen her critical consciousness. The muse of thought as a precursor to action was motivated by personal and professional development as it relates to truly embracing Black Lives Matter during the pandemic. This muse shares a transformation in the development of proactive and strength-based perspectives in leading and teaching African American learners.