This study used comparative interrupted times series analyses to assess the impact of a continuous improvement-focused family engagement intervention on ninth grade attendance and course passing rates. The intervention, conducted in an urban district, sought to improve middle and high school family engagement practices during the transition to…

Participation rates in postsecondary education vary greatly by race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES). In addition to issues of access, there are also problems with retention and persistence across higher education; improving retention and degree attainment for students continues to be an issue for higher education professionals.…

Graduate student enrollment across the United States is declining in colleges and universities, which is a concern based on the number of jobs that will require graduate degrees in 20 years. Through a survey at a mid-Atlantic university, this study identifies how Masters and Doctoral students differ in college choice. By utilizing variables…

Although parental self-efficacy has been linked to positive parenting strategies, the variability in measures and conceptualizations presents a limitation in the literature (Jones & Prinz, 2001). In this paper, we propose a new scale developed using (Author Citation) framework and pilot tested with an online panel of parents (n = 636). Our…

This longitudinal mixed method study of middle school students examines individual, peer, and school climate influences on sexual harassment (SH) victimization. Student interviews offered examples of what we would define as SH but did not themselves define it as such. Teacher-related and peer-related factors were an overarching theme in school…

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether parental involvement (PI) activities out of school varied with family background in the United States and whether PI mediates the relation between family background and student achievement. This study was grounded within Bourdieu's cultural capital theory (YEAR). Data were collected in 2007…

Annually, states are required to monitor whether school districts disproportionately refer certain student groups into special education services. However, these monitoring methods do not account for student factors theorized to be associated with the presence of a learning disability. I explore whether conclusions drawn from current measures of…

This paper presents a lecture given at the 17th Annual Lecture of the Association of University Administrators (AUA). The subject of the lecture is equality and diversity in higher education (HE) leadership, or possibly the absence of equality and diversity. The author focuses on what can be done to ensure that capable women enter HE leadership…

This study expands previous research on stress in the superintendency by addressing the links between the superintendents' levels of stress, early trauma, coping responses, and superintendent health. The study focuses on the intersection of sex and gender in these relationships. A nationwide random sample of superintendents resulted in a working…

This study examines the effect of student trust on discipline, behavior and academic outcomes, and how this varies based on race and gender. Trusting students have fewer disciplinary incidents, and better outcomes in high school. However, the reward of positive trusting relationships has the most return for White students. Black students benefit…

Existing literature underscores the over disciplining of students of Color. Research indicates programs like Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are successful in decreasing disproportionate discipline for minority students in urban schools. No studies have addressed how urban school leaders make sense of PBIS within the racialized…

A review of the literature illustrates the high prevalence rate and negative student outcomes associated with verbal aggression (VA) in school settings. Research in the U.S. reveals the correlates and effects of VA that can inform and facilitate a research agenda for interventionists focused on violence prevention in school settings. Our analysis…

This study examined the extent to which inclusion of diverse perspectives in the classroom contributed to the variation in thriving among first-year students of color at a midsize university on the West Coast. Student thriving was defined as academic, interpersonal, and psychological engagement and well being. The results indicated that presenting…

Pedagogical approaches to teaching about race in a teacher education program were studied in order to identify which approaches were effective in cultivating a strong understanding of race and privilege. The study aimed to understand a) the types of pedagogies used to advance racial discourse in teacher education courses needed for bilingual and…

Purpose: Studies suggest that out-of-school suspensions and expulsions rarely improve student outcomes or perceptions of school safety. At the same time, there is consistent evidence of disparities by race, class, and ability in the implementation of "zero tolerance" discipline policies. Stakeholders across the country have leveraged…