This article positions the core-selective evaluation process (C-SEP), a pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW) model of identifying specific learning disabilities (SLD), within guidelines and best practices recommended for assessing English learners. C-SEP is a broad approach that utilizes multiple sources of data to establish underachievement,…

In the United States truancy prevention is lacking two key elements to success; research that explains the causes of truancy and empirical evidence for best practices of truancy prevention. Truancy has been a problem in academics since the early 1900's, when truancy became illegal. Since then, truancy rates have continued to see a steady increase,…

Strands in the extant literature show many students graduate from high school illprepared to be successful in the postsecondary environment. The purpose of this study is to better understand best practices for achieving first-year student success within the realm of higher education. First-year college students may experience challenges in…

The "Excellence in Assessment" (EIA) designation's purpose has been to recognize institutions of higher education that demonstrate an ability to integrate assessment practices throughout the institution, provide evidence of student learning outcomes, and use assessment results to guide decision-making and improve student performance.…

As students enter the middle grades, many lose academic momentum and thus reach ninth grade unprepared. This lack of preparedness snowballs: It leads students to disengage from their studies, causing them to miss opportunities to get back on track in high school and thrive in the years beyond. Sixth grade is a particularly critical juncture.…

The relationship between spatial heterogeneity and students' academic performance is a widely researched topic. This study extends the concept of spatial heterogeneity into two categories - allocatable (acquired after birth) and ascribed (determined before birth) - using seating and hometown information as variables in Spatial Durbin Models for…

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the implemented Teacher Development Program (TDP), encompassing these modern approaches, in short-term (after 1 month) and more long-term perspectives (after 1 year). Data on the perceived effectiveness of TDP were collected through a survey. The participants included higher education instructors who…

The problem addressed by this study was the academic achievement gap of low-income students. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of educators of low-income students participating in the Florida School Choice program and the perceived challenges they face in bridging the academic achievement…

This study aims to develop and validate the Principal Competency Inventory (PCI), an instrument used to assess a principal's leadership competencies that promote student learning in South Korea. An extensive review of prior work was conducted to understand the theoretical foundation related to school leadership and the competency construct of the…

Student success and campus safety are two key issues in higher education. Efforts to maximize both issues are the focus of campus administration. Behavioral Intervention Teams (BITs) are implemented as a dual mechanism to improve student success and campus safety. BITs increasingly are becoming best practice and an essential component in…

Many students rely on rote algorithms that have been recently taught as they look for a direct way to tackle challenging problems. Especially for students who have not succeeded in the typical high-school curriculum, problem-solving in a novel situation is complex, and students ask for a direct way to solve rather than persevering. The purpose of…

In this qualitative study, we sought to identify the best practices emerging from professional learning communities (PLCs) in New Brunswick, Canada with regard to teacher collaboration. Established over a decade ago, PLCs are now a common practice in this province. The results of interviews conducted with teachers and principals (N = 13) show a…

Data show an alarming number of novice teachers leaving the education profession within the first five years of teaching. This high turnover has created teacher shortages, negative financial expenses to school districts, and negative impact on student achievement. These ramifications of teacher turnover have concerned educational leaders,…

As the nation's demographics shift, schools must create an equitable and positive learning environment for all students, including English learner (EL) students. ELs hold diverse identities, some arriving from around the world as newcomers and others who are U.S. citizens born into immigrant families. Despite several laws passed over the years to…

Decreased academic achievement of middle school students is occurring due to educators' inability or reluctance to differentiate instruction and the barriers that impede or prevent its use. The purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore strategies for implementing differentiated instruction in the classroom and overcoming…