The need for proper communication strategies during a bond or levy campaign has been a critical part of the tax referendum process. The intent of this study was to identify the best communication strategies used by superintendents during the three stages of a tax referendum. Planning a tax referendum, campaigning for a tax referendum, and then…

There is a lack of knowledge in the area of training needs for Deaf/Blind vocational rehabilitation and/or independent living service providers in Florida. This quantitative study utilized self-report surveys of Deaf/Blind providers in Florida to determine what needs to be done related to professional development. The researcher attempted to…

Reform-based mathematics instruction emphasizes that mathematics is learned through reasoning and sense-making rather than strict memorization and is taught through facilitation rather than telling (NCTM, 1989, 1991, 1995, 2000). Teachers' engagement with student thinking to inform instruction is central to such teaching. Engagement with student…

This basic qualitative research study explored the lives of 14 elementary teachers in their classroom environment to answer two central research questions which are: what coping strategies do teachers find most effective and what coping mechanisms provided by administration helps them cope with classroom stress? Data were collected through…

The Cowen Institute has a deep commitment to helping students in New Orleans access financial aid for college. They have previously monitored Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates in New Orleans and Atlanta, provided resources to help FAFSA completion, and currently convene collaboratives of college counselors and youth…

The purpose of this study was to explore the application of learning contracts in the process of preparing to take the AT BOC exam. The goal of this study was to investigate best practices to assist students in being successful when taking the BOC certification examination. Self-directed learning in medicine was an important skill in the…

States have turned to effective induction programs in response to rising teacher attrition rates and a widening student achievement gap. Comprehensive induction programs that develop highly efficacious teachers report a decline in teacher attrition, an increase in job satisfaction, and a rise in student achievement. The intent of this research was…

In its sixth year, the Blended and Personalized Learning Conference (BPLC) hosted by the Highlander Institute, The Learning Accelerator, and the Christensen Institute brought together more than a thousand educators from around the country to share, discuss, and define innovative education practices. An invitation-only Summit was hosted on March…

This guide provides experienced education researchers with suggestions for conducting high-quality effectiveness studies to overcome research challenges common to rural settings. The guide addresses four factors that researchers must consider when conducting educational effectiveness research in rural settings: (1) study design, (2) recruitment of…

Educators seek professional learning to meet their personal needs and the needs for their students each year. However, many times the professional learning is not tailored to the audience and the costs to attend conferences does not lend itself to being effective use of time and resources. Many educators are now turning to Twitter for professional…

This paper considered best practices in teaching culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. A case study research design was used to discover specific English as second language (ESL) strategies teachers are using in their classrooms and specific ESL strategies students find engaging and helpful to learn. This study collected data using…

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine the interviews with principals and teachers before, during, and after data collection using a screening tool in Kannada and English (Shenoy, 2015, 2016), to illuminate the school culture and its impact on special education practices across low-, middle-, and high-income private schools…

Previous research has examined the use of nontraditional readings, particularly fiction, as a tool for teaching sociological concepts. Few studies have specifically looked at nonfiction monographs and ethnographies. This paper extends prior research by exploring how in-person and online book clubs using nonfiction texts can be used as a tool to…

Elevated levels of bacteria impact the use of the Little River watershed in Texas. The amount of bacteria entering the waterway could be reduced if landowners within the watershed received water-related information and adopted best management practices. However, landowners' access to water-related information is limited, perhaps, because the…

Icy Lee is Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she is currently serving as Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her main research interests are in the areas of second language writing and second language teacher education. Icy is best known for her research on feedback in L2…