In collaboration with an urban public school, teacher candidates at a nearby university created a social-emotional skills project called Knight Brigade. The author discusses the project planning, implementation, and results as part of this ongoing partnership.

In March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States. Every part of America has been affected while its existing inequities have been both highlighted and worsened. Millions of families lost income as parents, especially those of color and those employed in low-paying industries, lost their jobs. By May 2020, one in three children…

This article examines the impact of a service-learning program based on positive youth development and social and emotional learning principles in two high-poverty urban middle schools. A longitudinal mixed-methods design was implemented, and qualitative data analysis yielded unexpected results associated with the professional development of…

Character education (CE) in schools has been reported to support a safe school environment in which adults and students can embrace core ethical values such as respect, fairness, and responsibility, for example (Pala, 2011). It has the power to not only "cultivate minds [but] nurture hearts" as well (Pala, 2011, p. 26). The creation of a…

This report summarizes 2009-2010 evaluation results of AISD's middle level education plan.

This article discusses an innovative program, Smart-Girl, developed in collaboration among feminist scholars, educators, and business women concerned with intervening in and improving the lives of adolescent girls in their community. This program is unique not only in its success, but also in the social and emotional impact it has had on the high…

The Foundation for Excellent Schools supports a nationwide project, the Century Program, to link 100 rural and inner city schools middle schools with 100 colleges and universities. The TDP goal is to increase college going awareness among middle school students from families where going to college is not a family or community tradition. This paper…

The Bullying Project describes the development and implementation of a service-learning component within a preservice course. The evolution of the work completed by the students in their partnership with the local middle school provides insights into the opportunities that such relationships provide both the college students and the school site.…