This qualitative study involved teacher candidates' entry and exit survey responses from one teacher preparation program. From survey items about whether these teacher candidates think student demographics impact upon classroom management, we found that teachers at the beginning of the program started to recognise that students are indeed diverse…

Although much of the national opt-out movement is parent driven, the Colorado opt-out movement involved considerable efforts from high school students. This study explores the geography of the Colorado opt-out movement among secondary students, drawing upon social movements theory. We utilize the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) as a…

Students of color in the United States participate in undergraduate honors programs at lower rates than their White counterparts. Prior research suggests that students of color do not participate in honors programs for a variety of reasons. Using critical race theory and community cultural wealth as a conceptual framework, I sought to understand…

Students vary in their perceptions of teachers' motivational supports, even within the same classroom, but it is unclear why this is the case. To enable the design of equitable environments and understand the theoretical nature of motivational climate, this study explored demographic differences in university students' perceptions of instruction…

School climate describes the quality of the school environment. School climate is a construct that refers to the perceived structural, interpersonal, and learning aspects of a school; a positive school climate is associated with school success and academic achievement (Hoy & Hannum, 1997), prosocial development (Koth et al., 2008), and…

Many colleges are exploring alternative college readiness assessment models to increase student enrollment and success in entry-level, or gateway, college courses and to more accurately identify students who would benefit from developmental instruction. Informed self-placement (ISP), an emerging method that is currently being studied by the Center…

Does student voice matter? This study examined how Latinx students used their voice to share their experiences about how they were perceived and treated at their schools. Data collection included focus groups with Latinx students. Students' responses indicated they did not feel safe nor did their school create a caring environment. Students' also…

Since the formation of the Irish State, the participation and attainment in education of members of the Irish Traveller community have been low. In terms of school-related factors, research points to Travellers perceiving the curriculum as irrelevant, experiencing problematic relationships with peers and teachers, a strong sense of not belonging,…

Despite the massification of higher education, social inequality in higher education outcomes still persists. It is known that secondary schools' socioeconomic composition is at least partly responsible for this social inequality. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which socioeconomic composition affects higher education enrollment are still poorly…

Providing an avenue for students to share their perceptions and opinions of their learning environment with educators makes the process of teaching and learning more reciprocal and can address issues of inequity by giving students the opportunity to participate in and influence decisions that will affect their lives and those of their peers. When…

Research examining the effects of track placement in the USA has predominantly focused on racial/socio-economic differences in access to learning opportunities. However, track assignment might also create academic social groups within schools that shape students' social-cognitive processes. This article provides a conceptual model that describes…

This paper reports evidence on the decomposition of a gender academic achievement gap (GAAP) at the university level by type of college from a unique environment, where the majority of an undergraduate student population shares similar socio-economic and demographic backgrounds and attends the largest and only public university in the country.…

Seeking to understand the experiences of educators, families, and students in K-12 public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin-Minnesota Comprehensive Center (WMCC)--working with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)--has developed the Safe Learning Survey that is being conducted at three intervals: Winter (February), Spring…

This qualitative study explores the perspectives of 52 high school students on the meaning of caring in the school setting. Seven focus groups were utilized to collect data. Five groups were racially homogeneous and mixed-gender; one group comprised males of various races; and one group comprised females of various races. In the focus groups,…

Australia's higher education policy settings have signalled a shift towards marketisation. As a consequence, Australian universities have become increasingly competitive, and as they seek to compete for students in higher education markets, they begin to resemble commercial organisations. This article examines the challenges confronting the…