Whether and how to hold schools accountable for their performance has been a topic of debate in education circles for decades, and the use of standardized achievement test scores for accountability has been particularly contentious. One proposed strategy for reducing reliance on test scores is to incorporate non-test measures into accountability…

High schools around the nation are attempting to find a solution to the "9th-grade bulge," and the ever-growing systematic problem of 9th grade retention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the daily bell schedule on ninth-grade student achievement and overall school performance. A mixed method, sequential…

School improvement ultimately rests in the hands of teachers, and the balance of teaching and evaluation of learning is the method for sustained success. In his 2009 book, "Visible Learning (VL)," John Hattie acknowledges this statement and contends that the majority of teachers know what works due to reflexive teaching praxis. Many…

School improvement ultimately rests in the hands of teachers, and the balance of teaching and evaluation of learning is the method for sustained success. In his 2009 book, "Visible Learning (VL)," John Hattie acknowledges this statement and contends that the majority of teachers know what works due to reflexive teaching praxis. Many…

This dissertation consists of three papers about quantitative research methods in education. Each paper is a response to potential limitations of the current approach to building evidence for effective education -- an approach that is dominated by Randomized Controlled Trials of school programs, with mathematics and English achievement as primary…

In an era of test-based accountability, school inspection may offer a nuanced understanding of school performance and actionable information for improvement. Yet, little empirical evidence exists on its effectiveness in advancing performance, particularly in the United States. This dissertation examines the potential of school inspection as an…

Introduction: This study explored the involvement of community resources in education planning and delivery in Ghana. It focused on how the involvement of community resources have had an impact on educational planning and development in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Methods: A qualitative method was used, and data…

A high-quality preschool education can foster critical development and learning that promotes joyful, affirming, and enriching learning opportunities that prepare children for success in school and life. While preschool programs generally provide emotionally supportive environments, their curricula often fall short in advancing learning in math,…

Early reading achievement is essential for all children's development and future success. However, U.S. schools continue to under prepare Black children in early literacy, as evidenced by disparate outcomes observed for this population of learners. The under preparation of Black students is problematic, given the strong negative correlation…

Massive online user review platforms, with their star ratings and text reviews, are reshaping the information available for consumer and public service decisions. We study the leading K-12 schooling platform, GreatSchools, applying machine learning (Natural Language Processing, NLP) to 600,000 reviews that encompass the vast majority of the…

This edited volume explores key challenges facing Vietnamese universities amidst digital transformation, navigating the intersection of technology and cultural values, competition, and open education. Chapters in this book offer insights into the current landscape of Vietnamese higher education, outlining strategies for institutional success and…

Controversy is intensifying with the rapid spread of charter schools and their domination of the education reform agenda. As charter enrolment increases in the USA, inequities in education worsen. This article contributes to the debate on contemporary education policy by critically examining charter issues from the US literature and stakeholder…

This Blueprint is a distillation of what the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) has learned across nearly four decades of research and working shoulder-to-shoulder with partners to support education leaders and practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community stakeholders to study, design, and build equitable,…

The intent of this annual report is to shine light on the Texas Education Agency's strategic plan to ensure every student in Texas is prepared for success in college, a career or the military, and that by 2030 at least 60% of Texans will have a degree, certificate, or other postsecondary credential of value as part of Building a Talent Strong…

In recognition of growing economic inequality and rapid transformation in the world of work, we seek to understand how young people perceive their futures to develop career development education that supports both personal goals and promotes social and economic justice. Thirty-six students attending high-performing high schools in the United…