Purpose: In the wake of interlocking pandemics, educational systems are resetting in important ways, pursuing aims that are not exclusively instructional (e.g., social justice, well-being). As systems (re)build, they may vary in how they manage their institutional and policy environments, which may or may not be reorienting toward these same…

This mixed methods study was designed for two purposes: (1) to provide district and campus leaders data about the effectiveness of how the studied district's READ 180 and System 44 literacy intervention programs were implemented, and (2) to assess the programs' impact on student outcomes to determine whether the district was meeting literacy goals…

Frustrated by the ineffectiveness of externally mandated reforms to positively influence the academic performances and attitudes of their students who came from families with limited economic resources (>98%), two fourth-grade teachers used their teaching visions to redesign daily instructional activities. Consistent with their visions and a…

This research is a qualitative case study aiming at analyzing the effects of accreditation on school system elements. Accordingly, interviews were conducted with administrators and teachers at an IB-PYP accredited school. There are questions directed towards understanding the impacts of the accreditation on the elements of open system in the…

This case study explores the implementation of personalized learning at an elementary school in Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District 35. The study, conducted by Research for Action and funded by KnowledgeWorks, sheds light on the shift towards personalized, competency-based learning practices within the district. Through qualitative sources…

This publication introduces Curriculum globALE, a basic competence framework for the training of adult educators worldwide. By providing a modular, competency-based framework and cross-curricular approach, Curriculum globALE is unique in its aim to professionalize adult learning and education (ALE) on an international scale, via the competencies…

The Japanese educational system is highly competitive and applies high stakes standardized admission testing. As this approach has led to student stress and a narrow instructional focus, the Japanese Government revised educational goals toward more holistic development of well-rounded citizens who are healthy, independent, creative, and work…

High-quality early learning experiences (i.e., developmentally appropriate, play-based instruction with clear learning goals) have positive long-term effects on student outcomes. As California rolls out Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK), district leaders focused on meeting state requirements for hiring qualified staff and finding…

In conjunction with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and governors across the nation, the initial drafts of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were introduced in 2009 with the final draft being released in 2010. With a goal of eliminating stagnant academic progress, the Standards were written to outline precisely what…

Every student in Hawai'i's public school system -- regardless of their geographic location, background, economic standing or whether they are in English or Hawaiian language pathways -- must have the opportunity to discover and pursue their passions and see first-hand how their interests can translate into successful and meaningful careers that…

This article explores contextual factors that influenced teacher leadership behavior during the evolution of a dual language education program for elementary English-language learners. Teachers' narratives provide evidence of the relative strength of school leadership streams, that is, relationships, moral purpose, and commitment to action.…

Teaching students how to regulate their own learning has become a popular innovative practice in primary education. However, not much is known about how teacher as well as school characteristics enhance students' self-regulated learning (SRL). This study explores whether schools differ in the way they implement SRL and what factors at the school…

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a comprehensive program model originally developed by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC). Sixty elementary schools with 486 participants were randomly assigned to an NPDC and services as usual condition (SAU). Significantly greater changes in program…

There is wide recognition that supporting social-emotional learning (SEL) is a critical task for schools as they emerge from the pandemic, but implementation is challenging and SEL programs can easily turn into isolated and disjointed initiatives. When schools treat SEL as an isolated initiative, implementation can be uneven and difficult to…

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a comprehensive program model originally developed by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC). Sixty elementary schools with 486 participants were randomly assigned to an NPDC and services as usual condition (SAU). Significantly greater changes in program…