Grounded in Developmental Systems Theory, especially Ecological Systems Theory, and through the strength-based and whole child lenses, this study examines 15 interviews with Head Start professionals and explores alignment degree of their school readiness perception and practices. Adopting dual mapping, theme screening and in vivo coding, the…

This study explored the effects of pedagogical approaches on Title I kindergarten students' executive function (EF) and academic achievement to test the hypothesis that children, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, will benefit when purposeful play is incorporated into learning. Students in the play-based group generally had…

Student absenteeism is a persistent concern in K-12 education. Not only are the negative academic and social consequences of excessive absenteeism well documented, but states, districts, and schools are increasingly being held accountable for student attendance. As research indicates that disruptions in students' learning contexts may exacerbate…

I analyze interview data collected from 16 students who were involved in a student-led group for low-income, first-generation, and/or working-class (LIFGWC) students at an elite liberal arts college. I find that students' assumed class identities on campus are tied to their racial identities. Specifically, students of color are overwhelmingly…

This study reports findings of ten urban California educational leaders' views about their perceived emotional, psychological, and cognitive skillsets to mitigate the Dunning-Kruger Effect and maximize equity in student learning in ten of the state's highest performing, low socioeconomic status schools. Psychologists David Dunning and Justin…

Students in rural schools have the potential to achieve at high levels; however, they need support to develop this potential. Research indicates a particular need in the area of STEM education. This study looks at how to enhance school-wide instruction, collaboration, and assessment related to increased student participation in coding and computer…

Academic resilience is difficult to define in an international setting, since economic levels and achievement standards vary across countries and over time. In studies of academic resilience, the concept is typically operationalized using pre-defined cut-offs of achievement and social background. The main objective of the current study is to apply…

Full-service community schools (FSCSs) are broadly viewed as a strategy to address the multiple challenges faced by low-income children and families that can create barriers to students' learning. Several studies have investigated the perceptions and experiences of a variety of key stakeholders involved in this reform strategy. However, no studies…

This study examines the effect of state need-based financial aid on crucial student outcome measures at 4-year institutions. In particular, I seek to analyze differential effects across income groups. To account for potential endogeneity bias and the nested data structure, this study employs a propensity score matching, multilevel modeling…

A growing body of literature is demonstrating that a number of students who are academically prepared for postsecondary fail to make the transition to college. The purpose of this study is to explore the relative influence of student and school level factors on three stages in students' college-going process: application, admission, and…

This study examines low-income schools that were successful in OnRamps, an innovative dual enrollment program created by The University of Texas at Austin. The program has enrolled over 20,000 students since its inception in 2011 and partnered with more than 70 school districts across Texas in 2017-18. Participation in dual enrollment and dual…

There has been a surge of interest lately in culturally relevant/responsive/sensitive teaching in science and math. Two quick examples: in his call for papers addressing race for "The Physics Teacher," Gary White lists "culturally responsive teaching" as the first topic (White, 2016); one of the two aims of a $4.9 million grant…

This study explores how two schools serve students who are in danger of or have already experienced the school-to-prison pipeline. The majority of students at these schools faced significant setbacks in traditional settings (e.g., truancy, poor grades, suspension, expulsion, incarceration). At each charter school, the free and reduced lunch…

SciMath-DLL is a preschool professional development (PD) model including STEM instructional offerings that aims to improve the quality of instruction for all children, including dual language learners (DLLs). The purpose of the PD model is to create practical and authentic STEM and DLL supports for early childhood educators, who are generally not…

In a sequential, explanatory mixed method design, we studied 1,126 students matched by high-achieving ability, income level, race, gender, and cohort at four-year college entry to determine whether the financial concerns of program students and a matched sample varied by selectivity of their freshman institution. Results indicate low-income…