Background/Context: Community-based youth theater programs afford youth opportunities to explore and "author" new identities by "performing writing." Yet, we know much less about the ways in which immigrant youth are exploring struggles and changes within their families and ethnic community. We particularly lack research about…

Background/Context: Educational resilience is defined as having successful outcomes in school despite the adversities one has faced in life. There is a dearth of research on a particularly high-risk group--unaccompanied refugee minors who are separated from their parents by war and lack the protection and advocacy provided by adult caretakers.…

Investigated high school students' experiences throughout the school year as they become involved in the work of a community environmental organization, using situated learning theory to view their learning as transformation of participation. Results highlight the dynamics of power differentials between novices and experienced practitioners, which…

The author examines (1) the place of museums in the educational process, (2) the "style" in which museums teach, and (3) the need for a school-museum alliance. Ways in which the educational profession can aid in the development of school-museum cooperation are presented, as well as warnings against rigidity and formality in the museum's…

Background/Context: In an era of high stakes accountability, public school districts struggle to improve teaching and learning for all students. As a result, effective professional development approaches for teachers are a high priority. Recently, teachers' learning communities (LCs) have been recommended because successful LCs foster teacher…

Examines tensions and contradictions associated with proposals to restructure schools, empower teachers, and create a professional, collaborative work environment. A broad school democracy must include parents, community members, and students in structured decision-making processes. Teacher empowerment and school restructuring must coincide with…

Case study of an Iowa junior high school describes how the school and community identified their resources and used them to create successful arts education programs from ordinary resources. The article examines four types of commitment that shaped school practice, noting effective teaching practices and administrative policy. (SM)