Higher education persistence and retention rates have been scrutinized more than ever before, at both the state and national levels. Student success and completion rates are central to funding formulas, and this is specifically true for community colleges in Texas. This study examined the role of library instruction on community college student…

The purpose of this study was to gauge the effects of offering LGBTQIA+ novels to students in an English Language Arts and Reading high school setting. Most novel options for students come from old books available in the school's book closet consisting of antiquated stories offering little in the way of diversity. Students are more likely to be…

This study assessed student research papers using a rubric to determine the information literacy skills of students in introductory composition classes. Librarians taught a pilot composition course that infused information literacy (IL) into the traditional English curriculum. The students' IL skills were compared to those of undergraduates…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of selected demographic factors on the academic achievement of high school students. More specifically, this study was concerned with the effects of the variables gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores in Mathematics,…

This article shares the experiences, tips, and passion of an English I teacher who teaches English language learners (ELLs) who have been in U.S. schools for at least one year. She provides information about various teaching strategies that have been effective in her classroom over the past few years. The article addresses student grouping,…

The young adult novels of Alex Sanchez belong in every high school English classroom and media center. With compelling plots and significant themes, Sanchez's six novels create numerous rich learning opportunities for students. In this article, the author describes how Sanchez's novels on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender themes can be…

Investigated in the current study were gaps between secondary schools and higher education in English curriculum and in general areas, as perceived by South Texas secondary school English teachers. Qualitative analysis yielded seven themes concerning the gaps and six themes concerning suggested initiatives and services. Findings from the study…

Students enrolled in a 5-hour-per-week (long) English 101 class were compared with students taking the same class 3 hours per week (regular). F ratios from multiple linear regression analyses revealed that (1) significant differences existed between the two groups in ACT scores (ACT scores are one criterion used to assign students to long or…

The place of Mexican American literature in high school English programs is discussed. (JP)

Describes an attempt to interrelate English and state history classes in a Texas middle school by assigning literature readings, such as Jack Schaeffer's novel "Shane," that help students understand the frontier period in Texas history. (RBW)

The articles in this journal issue provide information on the study and teaching of folklore. Separate articles discuss the following topics: oral history; the teaching of folklore in Texas secondary schools and colleges, both as a separate discipline and as supporting enrichment material; a term project assignment in a college-level American…

Espouses cooperation between college English departments and schools of education in the training of English and reading teachers. (AEA)

This volume serves as a supplement to the Texas Education Agency's "Rules for Curriculum," implemented in 1984, which requires all Texas schools to teach the same essential elements to all students in kindergarten through grade 8. This manual is intended for modification of that curriculum for hearing impaired students with severe…

This guide provides general guidelines for local school districts in Texas to follow in designing English language arts programs to meet the needs of their students and the expectations of their communities. Instead of providing specific instructional items, strategies, and materials, the guide reflects Texas State Board of Education rules and…

Presented by the Texas Education Agency, this guide describes 75 validated programs approved for replication by the Demonstration Programs for School Improvement (DPSI) statewide steering committee for 1981-83. Administered by the Division of Dissemination, the network enables public and private school educators to visit, study, and adopt proven…