Prior studies have documented the pattern of decreased state funding for higher education in periods of economic contraction (i.e., the balance wheel phenomenon). This qualitative case study examines how policymakers in California and Texas made decisions about funding higher education at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when policymakers faced…

During her term on the California State Board of Education, Naomi Porter realized that student and adult board members alike struggle to effectively engage their primary constituents--students. Student state board members face the added challenges of making an impact during relatively short terms of service and of identifying mentors who can help…

Five years ago, California's education data lagged far behind the systems in most other states. However, state leaders and education advocates undertook a purposeful engagement and design process to build a data system that represents the state's values and meets different stakeholders' needs. This case study on California's P-20W Cradle-to-Career…

Objectives: To learn about the mental health of students, the tools they use to cope with stress, and their perceptions toward the assistance they receive from their academic institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: 593 students from two University of California campuses. Methods: The link to an anonymous survey was included in a…

California law enforcement academies provide training for individuals entering law enforcement Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is included in the academy. The topic addressed in this research is the perceived efficacy of SIT in preparing officers to make decisions about when to use force and how much force is reasonable for the situation. The…

This brief emphasizes the importance of including the voices and experiences of students, families, staff, and community partners in educational decision-making processes. It provides five key considerations for schools to effectively engage with their educational partners, such as making authentic connections through listening sessions and…

Purpose: This study sought to investigate how secondary agriculture teachers' characteristics influence their perceived ability to teach students decision-making skills. Design/Methodology/Approach: We used a cross-sectional survey research design and distributed the instrument to secondary agriculture teachers in the U.S. via Facebook. We…

This qualitative study explored the decision-making processes of 13 diverse Chancellors, President/Superintendents, and Presidents from California community colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how they navigated campus closures, the return to in-person work, and what or who influenced their decisions. Through interviews, three main…

It is well documented that excellent teachers are not equitably distributed among students in traditional public high schools. Research shows teacher labor market economics and the micropolitics of schooling significantly facilitate the migration of excellent teachers between districts and schools and within schools so the teachers may secure…

Over the past 20 years, large scale crisis events categorized as adversarial incidental, human caused threats, biological hazards, natural disasters, and technological hazards have increased and posed significant challenges for executive leaders in curriculum and instruction (ELCIs) in K-12 educational settings. These crisis events disrupt K-12…

Expulsion from school is the most severe form of student discipline allowed under California law. The primary facilitator of student expulsion is the school administrator. This study examined the school administrators' experiences with student expulsion, their decision-making process, and implications for bias. The study employed qualitative…

In order to understand Latina mothers' choices of childcare for their children ages birth to five, a qualitative study of 42 Latina mothers (ages 18 to 43) from Southern California was conducted. Research has found that work status, school status, mother's level of education, acculturation, household composition, income level, and neighborhood…

The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of Black teachers who were employed in an urban school district in Southern California. This study focused on teachers who made the decision to remain at their current school in their current teaching position. The findings from this research inquiry can provide district-level…

Teacher leaders, who are stakeholders in the school and implement policies designed to improve student achievement, are a crucial part of educational reform efforts. However, the responsibilities of teacher leaders vary widely at the site level. Teacher leaders' self-efficacy must be substantive in order for them to enact change. This quantitative…

This brief on including student voice, agency, and co-creation in education decision-making proceeds from the premise that successfully transforming education systems to be more student centered involves addressing four key elements: Individual Mindsets, Interpersonal Relationships, Community Culture, and Structural and Systemic Supports. The…