Despite the widely recognized effectiveness of place-based education (PBE) by researchers in the science education community, there is a lack of resources and curriculum appropriate for the environment of urban schools. Unequal access to quality science curriculum materials is an ongoing issue facing urban schools in the United States. This basic…

Many district and school leaders have leveraged instructional leadership or social justice leadership to advance student achievement for minoritized students. While research has examined these approaches separately, we identify a potential gap at the nexus between instructional and social justice leadership. In particular, we find a need for…

The purpose of this study, through an analysis of the literature review of general scholars in the field of school poverty, equity, efficiency, and student achievement results, was to determine whether economic disparity had a direct statistical significance to student achievement gaps. Specifically, identification of the five socioeconomic tiers…

This action research project explores the current university-community school-based partnerships between Paterson community organizations and WU. This study's research question is, "What current university-community school-based partnerships exist between the Paterson community organizations and WU?" This study uses only the first action…

Educators across the U.S. struggle to provide an equitable education to their diverse students. Since the 2020 COVID pandemic and the national call to end racism after George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, chronic absenteeism and students' substantial mental health challenges have disrupted their efforts. Schools have struggled more than ever to…

The role of the principal includes various obligations and responsibilities, including leading the school's special education (SPED) program. Many aspects inform how SPED students respond to the curriculum, including their learning needs, race, socioeconomic class, and other aspects that intersect and make their needs more complex. The researcher…

This work is important because it concerns students whose aptitudes, talents, and gifts may have been overlooked and misunderstood because these students lacked the correct tools. Specifically, these students lacked the tools to appropriately respond to conflict or stress within the school setting. The lack of such tools easily leads to suspension…

Equitable instructional practices are vital to closing the educational achievement gap for African American students. However, there is a gap in research on understanding the lived experiences of educators and the ability to provide equity instruction to African American students. The impact of equitable instructional practices and the role of…

More attention should be placed on student engagement and the teaching of lessons that promote equitable opportunities to learn science in a way that students can relate to and enjoy. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve student engagement in urban elementary science classrooms. Also, to discover how best to…

As large urban school districts increasingly turn to market-based reforms, arguing that they will improve school quality, better meet diverse student and family needs, and level the playing field for disadvantaged families, the distributional effects of those policies are still poorly understood. A growing literature on the bounded and embedded…

Teaching practices in early childhood through post-secondary learning settings continue to reproduce inequities in mathematics education despite recognition of math's utility and its necessity for competitiveness in the global economy. For reform efforts to be successful, teachers must change the way mathematics is presented in classrooms where…

This phenomenological research study explores how districts in Massachusetts support and hinder the work of professionals in the inaugural role of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I). Through a qualitative approach, the study engaged six Directors of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from suburban and urban school settings in…

This study explored the perceptions of educators and staff about the ways dialogue and self-reflection promoted thinking about being equitable and becoming more culturally responsive in their work. Education leaders and practitioners have desired to develop and support more culturally responsive educators and staff. In my role as Chief Diversity…

This dissertation examines the lived experiences of Black men credentialed to be assistant principals and principals within a southeastern, urban public school district based upon the philosophies of equity and social justice. Through a qualitative constructivist approach, this research explores their experiences in and with education and how it…

This qualitative study applied a college readiness framework to address the academic needs of urban students and to better understand the individualized college-readiness experiences of students of color. The study's aim was to provide a voice to the voiceless and to discuss ways to close the college-readiness gap for urban students. With a focus…