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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Landscape Of Advanced Coursework Participation: Understanding Disparities And Intersectionality, Chin-Chih Chen, Chris Parthemos, David Naff, Erica Ross, Virginia Palencia, Beth Fowler, Andrea Herndon, Beverly Fludd-Flanagan Jan 2023

The Landscape Of Advanced Coursework Participation: Understanding Disparities And Intersectionality, Chin-Chih Chen, Chris Parthemos, David Naff, Erica Ross, Virginia Palencia, Beth Fowler, Andrea Herndon, Beverly Fludd-Flanagan

MERC Publications

This population-based study explored students' participation in advanced coursework in elementary schools (gifted/talented programs), middle schools (Algebra I+), and high schools (Advanced Placement) to address enrollment equity. The study identified demographic disparities and the intersectionality of multiple identities to achieve two research aims: 1) to explore how advanced course-taking varies by student demographics, and 2) to understand how disparities in advanced course-taking vary by student demographics and intersectional identities. The findings indicate that disparities in advanced course-taking are related to students’ race, ethnicity, disability status, English learner (EL) status, socioeconomic status, as well as the intersection of these variables. The …


Strategies For Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In The Post-Pandemic Era, David Naff, Fatemah A. Khawaji, Morgan Meadowes, Kim Dupre, Zehra Sahin Ilkorkor, Jill Flynn, Jean Samuel, Christina Tillery, Meg Sheriff Jan 2023

Strategies For Addressing Chronic Absenteeism In The Post-Pandemic Era, David Naff, Fatemah A. Khawaji, Morgan Meadowes, Kim Dupre, Zehra Sahin Ilkorkor, Jill Flynn, Jean Samuel, Christina Tillery, Meg Sheriff

MERC Publications

Although chronic absenteeism has been an enduring concern in PK-12 schools, it has doubled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To explore strategies for addressing this issue, this MERC research and policy brief answers five questions: 1) What are trends in chronic absenteeism pre and post-pandemic?, 2) What factors contribute to chronic absenteeism and which student groups are particularly vulnerable? 3) What are the connections between chronic absenteeism and other student outcomes? 4) What strategies are effective in reducing chronic absenteeism?, and 5) What are policies at the state and school board level intended to help address chronic absenteeism? …


Who Takes Dual Enrollment Classes? A Research Brief, David Naff Jan 2022

Who Takes Dual Enrollment Classes? A Research Brief, David Naff

MERC Publications

This research brief from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores three questions: 1) What are Dual Enrollment classes? 2) Who takes Dual Enrollment classes? and 3) What strategies promote greater access to Dual Enrollment? An accompanying podcast episode is linked in the research brief.


Analyzing Advanced Placement (Ap): Making The Nation's Most Prominent College Preparatory Program More Equitable, David Naff, Mitchell Parry, Tomika Ferguson, Virginia Palencia, Jenna Lenhardt, Elisa Tedona, Antionette Stroter, Theodore Stripling, Zoey Lu, Elizabeth Baber Jan 2021

Analyzing Advanced Placement (Ap): Making The Nation's Most Prominent College Preparatory Program More Equitable, David Naff, Mitchell Parry, Tomika Ferguson, Virginia Palencia, Jenna Lenhardt, Elisa Tedona, Antionette Stroter, Theodore Stripling, Zoey Lu, Elizabeth Baber

MERC Publications

This report from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores research related to Advanced Placement (AP) courses through an equity lens. It answers five questions: 1) What are AP classes? 2) Who enrolls and succeeds in AP classes? 3) Why do disparities in AP matter? 4) What factors contribute to disparities in AP participation and performance? 5) What policies and practices help to address disparities in AP access, enrollment, and performance? The report comes from the MERC Equitable Access and Support for Advanced Coursework study.


Policy And Practice Brief 5: English Learners And High School Graduation: Beyond The Four Year Pathway, Virginia Massaro, Merc English Learner Research & Evaluation Team, Virginia Commonwealth University Jan 2020

Policy And Practice Brief 5: English Learners And High School Graduation: Beyond The Four Year Pathway, Virginia Massaro, Merc English Learner Research & Evaluation Team, Virginia Commonwealth University

MERC Publications

An ever-present concern among high schools is student graduation. The pressure is on to graduate students within the typical four-year time frame it takes to complete requirements. While most students graduate in four years, they are not required to do so. This policy and practice brief provides research and resources related to this topic.


Policy And Practice Brief 4: The Obligation Of Schools To Provide Information To Multilingual Families In A Language They Can Understand, Carolyn N. Waters Jan 2020

Policy And Practice Brief 4: The Obligation Of Schools To Provide Information To Multilingual Families In A Language They Can Understand, Carolyn N. Waters

MERC Publications

Research shows that strong relationships between families and schools are key to student success. By providing information and communication in languages and formats that multilingual parents and guardians can access and understand, schools can strengthen relationships with these families. This policy and practice brief provides research and resources on this topic.


Policy And Practice Brief 3: Dual Language Programs Are Growing Across Virginia, Virginia Massaro Jan 2020

Policy And Practice Brief 3: Dual Language Programs Are Growing Across Virginia, Virginia Massaro

MERC Publications

The number of dual language (DL) programs has increased in response to a growing number of English learners (ELs) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Dual Language Educators Network (VADLEN) is committed to supporting the growth of DL programs in the state. This policy and practice brief provides research and resources on this topic.


Policy And Practice Brief 2: English Learners Are A Priority During Covid-19, Melissa J. Cuba Jan 2020

Policy And Practice Brief 2: English Learners Are A Priority During Covid-19, Melissa J. Cuba

MERC Publications

English learners (ELs) are disproportionately impacted by the health and economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. These students often traverse virtual learning with fewer resources, limited access, additional responsibilities, and increased needs. In addition to this, they represent a significant percentage of the student population in school divisions across the Commonwealth. This policy and practice brief provides additional research and resources on this topic.


Cultural Diversity Professional Development In Schools Survey, Krystal R. Thomas, Hillary Parkhouse, Jesse Senechal, Zoey Lu, Laura Faulcon, Julie Gorlewski, David B. Naff Jan 2020

Cultural Diversity Professional Development In Schools Survey, Krystal R. Thomas, Hillary Parkhouse, Jesse Senechal, Zoey Lu, Laura Faulcon, Julie Gorlewski, David B. Naff

MERC Publications

This report presents findings from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) Cultural Diversity Within Schools Survey. This survey was designed for school- based professionals (i.e., teachers, instructional staff, administrators) within the MERC region. Administered in the fall of 2018, the survey collected information about experiences of professional development related to cultural diversity, attitudes toward cultural diversity within schools, perceptions of barriers and opportunities, and perspectives on the need for professional development. Section 1 of the report discusses the context for this survey effort: increased cultural diversity in our schools, increased cultural mismatch between students and teachers, and multicultural education as …


Dual Language Programming: A Model To Enhance School Climate And Academic Achievement In Diverse Schools, Melissa J. Cuba, Kate Daly Rolander Jan 2020

Dual Language Programming: A Model To Enhance School Climate And Academic Achievement In Diverse Schools, Melissa J. Cuba, Kate Daly Rolander

MERC Publications

This policy brief summarizes research and data on English learners (ELs) in Virginia and current dual language (DL) education policies and practices. It includes discussions of (1) the growth of ELs in Virginia and across the Richmond area; (2) both federal and state education policies on language use and DL programming; (3) critical factors related to outcomes and the instruction of ELs and native English speakers in an integrated setting; (4) case studies of school divisions in Virginia that have spearheaded DL programs in their region; and (5) responses to frequently asked questions around the implementation and new 2018 Virginia …


Unpacking "Giftedness": Research And Strategies For Promoting Racial And Socioeconomic Equity, David B. Naff, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Amy Jefferson, Michael Schad, Morgan Saxby, Kathryn Haines, Zoey Lu Jan 2020

Unpacking "Giftedness": Research And Strategies For Promoting Racial And Socioeconomic Equity, David B. Naff, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Amy Jefferson, Michael Schad, Morgan Saxby, Kathryn Haines, Zoey Lu

MERC Publications

Giftedness as a construct continues to be contested in academia, in the classroom and around kitchen tables. It means different things to different communities and, as a result, acquiring the "gifted" label looks different around the country. Once labeled, student giftedness produces different responses depending on state and district guidelines. A constant among the patchwork of defining, identifying and responding to student giftedness, though, is a serious racial and economic disparity in who is considered gifted and who is not. This report provides key takeaways from research literature on gifted and talented (GT) programs. It is organized according to five …


Policy And Practice Brief 1: Virginia Is Not An English-Only Instruction State, Melissa J. Cuba Jan 2020

Policy And Practice Brief 1: Virginia Is Not An English-Only Instruction State, Melissa J. Cuba

MERC Publications

Virginia is not an English-only state for PreK-12 instruction. Although English is the official language of Virginia (as stated in the Code of Virginia), no state or federal policies require English as the only language for PreK-12 public education. Having English designated as the official language of Virginia does not prohibit the use of other languages in instruction. This policy brief provides further details and resources related to this topic.


Understanding Racial Inequity In School Discipline Across The Richmond Region, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Adai Tefera, David Naff, Ashlee Lester, Jesse Senechal, Rachel Levy, Virginia Palencia, Mitchell Parry, Morgan Debusk-Lane Jan 2019

Understanding Racial Inequity In School Discipline Across The Richmond Region, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Adai Tefera, David Naff, Ashlee Lester, Jesse Senechal, Rachel Levy, Virginia Palencia, Mitchell Parry, Morgan Debusk-Lane

MERC Publications

This report comes from the MERC Achieving Racial Equity in School Disciplinary Policies and Practices study. Launched in the spring of 2015, the purpose of this mixed- method study was to understand the factors related to disproportionate school discipline outcomes in MERC division schools. The study had two phases. Phase one (quantitative) used primary and secondary data to explore racial disparities in school discipline in the MERC region as well as discipline programs schools use to address them. Phase two (qualitative) explored the implementation of discipline programs in three MERC region schools, as well as educator and student perceptions …


Why Do Racial Disparities In School Discipline Exist? The Role Of Policies, Processes, People, And Places, Adai Tefera, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Rachel Levy Jan 2017

Why Do Racial Disparities In School Discipline Exist? The Role Of Policies, Processes, People, And Places, Adai Tefera, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, Rachel Levy

MERC Publications

This brief is part of larger regional study of racial equity in discipline policies and practices conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC). The goal of the broader project is to: (1) analyze racial disproportionality in discipline across the Richmond area, (2) explore various interventions designed to ameliorate disproportionality, and (3) provide recommendations that inform policymaking and practice in the Richmond region. This is the first of two research briefs on racially inequitable school discipline. The subsequent brief will examine the history and theory of action behind different discipline models or interventions, as well as evidence of …