For too long, the middle grades have been racked by a mistaken narrative that this age group is simply too difficult, or that it's a time in life when one must simply endure rather than thrive. The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) rejects that narrative. It is time for a unified policy agenda in support of the middle grades. This…

In this article, the author argues that living literacies--relational, embodied forms of literacy engagement--are an integral component of literacy engagement and hold the potential to disrupt and reconfigure the power structures embedded within schooled literacy. Drawing on affect theory and rhizomatic theory, the author analyzes youths' literacy…

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Cultural Connections in Schooling." Contents include: (1) A Defining Moment for…

This paper examines mechanisms in the Japanese education system that 'bring in' knowledge of practice to the process of policy translation. The paper firstly draws on the enactment of recent curriculum reforms in Japan to define a group of actors -- practitioner advocates -- who utilise their identity as members of the teaching community to…

This chapter describes how the "teach"HOUSTON program, the University of Houston's secondary STEM teacher preparation program developed strategic endeavors to build leadership capacity with the program's alumni. Since "teach"HOUSTON's conception in 2007, nearly 300 graduates have entered classrooms in high-needs school…

The article presents two key concepts of sociological systems theory -- externalisation and structural coupling -- and applies them to explain (a) the exponential growth of international large-scale student assessments and (b) the rise of 'policy-relevant' educational research. The author concludes with a comparison between key concepts used in…

Neoliberal tenets have colored the past half-century of education reform, marked by top-down accountability, market competition, and regimented learning aims. Federal drift and post-pandemic recovery, along with economic uncertainty, will blur policy priorities going forward. Less noticed, local networks of pro-equity activists have come to…

The Intersection of Race, Family, and Community on Rural Students' College Aspirations, examines the factors shaping rural students' college aspirations, with a focus on racial disparities between white students and students of color. Through a case study of Sadie Foster High School, the research explores how race, family support, and community…

Recent efforts prohibiting race-related diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have informed localized public pushback narrating anti-equity campaigns. Emerging research and media accounts have largely focused on adults engaged with or against these efforts, with less attention on youth and their perceptions of these campaigns. To center…

We used Manna's theory on borrowing strength to examine the influence of local and national idea champions seeking to broaden the participation of K-12 students in computer science. Concepts from Manna's model were applied to analyze interview data gathered from idea champions at the national and local levels. We identified examples of borrowing…

The article documents findings from a pilot study undertaken in 2012-2013 in a special needs secondary school in the England, that trialled the use of a multimedia advocacy tool, "The RIX Wiki". The trial was part of the pathfinder programme, which aimed to reform existing Special Education Needs provision, from the system of…

Sustaining and increasing participation in secondary music classes has been a regular topic of discourse within the field of music education. Music researchers and professionals have recently addressed specific issues related to music participation such as access to music classes, policy initiatives, and student interest in the music curriculum.…

This landscape review includes a document and policy review of policies and programs across the City of Richmond, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), The California Endowment, and other local community organizations. Additionally, the review encompasses: (1) 15 PLUS projects from 2008-2018 for 4 clients: City of Richmond, WCCUSD,…

This study examines 96 Guatemalan teachers' perspectives on the viability of educational mandates from Guatemala's Ministry of Education and explores their perceived ability to advocate in the schoolhouse. Data included focus groups prior to, and after, workshops on topics related to effective literacy interventions in diverse contexts. Findings…

Educational equity for undocumented immigrants has become a widely discussed issue in both the political and public realm of Tennessee. This presentation focuses on the ways in which undocumented immigrant youth in Tennessee confront and challenge educational inequities, particularly that of affordable access to higher education. This presentation…