This exploratory study examines the correlations between teachers' attitudes and the disproportionate representation of African American males in special educational services in the United States education system. Using a sample of teachers from two elementary schools with special education student representation proportional to the student body…

The purpose of this archival quantitative research study was to investigate the effects of relative age and eligibility for special education through third grade. This study further examined relative age as it related to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and multilingual learner status on eligibility for special education under the…

Given the importance of teachers for students' short- and long-term success, many education policies include mandates to match targeted students with "highly effective" teachers. An example is Michigan's Read by Grade Three Law, which requires students eligible for retention to be assigned "highly effective" teachers. Using a…

Research indicates the influence of socioeconomic factors by general education teachers in the use of Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) which was derived from Response to Intervention (RTI) in the placement of urban English Language Learners (ELs) in special education is a topic which needs more attention (Cramer 2015). The purpose of this…

This study leverages naturally occurring lotteries for oversubscribed Boston Public Schools prekindergarten program sites between 2007 and 2011, for 3,182 children (M = 4.5 years old) to estimate the impacts of winning a first choice lottery and enrolling in Boston prekindergarten versus losing a first choice lottery and not enrolling on…

This study leverages naturally occurring lotteries for oversubscribed Boston Public Schools prekindergarten program sites between 2007 and 2011, for 3,182 children (M = 4.5 years old) to estimate the impacts of winning a first choice lottery and enrolling in Boston prekindergarten versus losing a first choice lottery and not enrolling on…

Teacher preparation programs in the US have addressed complex teaching practices, like mathematical discourse, by engaging preservice teachers in the practice of teaching. This qualitative study reports on the nature of conferences about the discourse between an elementary education preservice-inservice pair participating in a model that…

The public debate over discipline policy remains depressingly polarized and simplistic. Advocates of reform argue that suspensions and other forms of exclusionary discipline are associated with negative outcomes, including higher rates of criminal justice involvement--and that they are implemented unfairly. In contrast, skeptics argue that we must…

From the time they begin school, relationships with teachers are the foundation upon which children build their identities as students. Those relationships can either facilitate or impede learning. This is even more salient for students who struggle to meet grade level expectations and master academic demands. This study explored how elementary…

Background: Ability grouping has resurged in U.S. schools despite long-standing debates over its consequences for educational equity. Proponents argue that it is the best response to variation in academic skills because it allows teachers to customize the content and pace of instruction to students' diverse needs. Critics answer that this practice…

This article reports on the findings of an empirical study that examined elementary school teachers' views about the English language learners' (ELLs) program placement assessment, and progress assessment. Specifically, the interviews in the study explored teachers' perspectives on the effectiveness of these assessments and the connection between…

Children from some demographic groups disproportionately receive special education (SE) services. Due to methodological shortcoming in existing work, it remains unclear whether this is due to real differences in academic needs or cultural selection/bias. Hence, in a community sample of 1250 Norwegian children, we examined the role of third grade…

This report features components of Arizona's plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act that impact the 85,000 English learners in the state regarding testing, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. Advocates can use this information to engage administrators and policymakers around improving outcomes for English learners and ensuring they…

This report features components of California's plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act that impact the 1.3 million English learners in the state regarding testing, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. Advocates can use this information to engage administrators and policymakers around improving outcomes for English learners and ensuring…

Legislation mandates that students with disabilities be included in achievement testing for accountability purposes, with only a few participating in an alternate assessment (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act [IDEA], 2004). The current study utilized data from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) to…