Background: Cluster-randomized experiments that assign intact groups such as schools or school districts to treatment conditions are increasingly common in educational research. Such experiments are inherently multilevel designs whose sensitivity (statistical power and precision of estimates) depends on the variance decomposition across levels.…

There is clear research-based evidence suggesting the mathematical gifts of children are not appropriately nurtured. Practices associated with the standard core curriculum renders them frustrated and bored. This paper represents an attempt to echo the voices of these children in order for their needs to be more properly met. It is based on a…

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), standardized test scores are the indicator used to hold schools and school districts accountable for student achievement. Each state is responsible for constructing an accountability system, attaching consequences--or stakes--for student performance. The theory of action implied by this…