Drawing upon Weick's (1995) theory of sensemaking, this qualitative study described how high school social studies teachers make meaning of culturally responsive sustaining education (CR-SE) as outlined in New York State's (NYS) CR-SE framework. This study also examined how that sensemaking is reflected in social studies teachers' curricular and…

For many years, there have been discrepancies between masculine and feminine populations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The problem was the gender disparity in middle and high school STEM classrooms, in which teachers often lack an understanding of the underlying reasons and measures needed to lessen the gender…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the beliefs K-12 teachers have when working with students with disabilities in a rural Pennsylvania school district. This study aimed to identify if teachers' personal beliefs created biases about their students and school systems; thus, forming barriers and preventing an inclusive education when…

Despite growing research and the federal standard of providing students with education in the least restrictive environment, students with disabilities continue to be excluded inappropriately from the general education classroom. This quantitative study was designed to identify any relationship between collective teacher efficacy, teacher…

This paper examines one key theme of 'education and equality' arising from a qualitative study that explores what special and inclusive education may mean for Chinese primary schools. The focus is on unpacking teachers' interpretations, values, and deeper assumptions of the 'equality' concept. Drawing from 37 interviews with mainstream primary…

The growth of online learning has expanded the reach of higher education to more diverse students than ever before; however, students often face barriers to equitable access to online instructional materials, course activities, and assessments. The challenge of meeting the needs of diverse learners was both highlighted and exacerbated during the…

Teachers' beliefs can have powerful consequences on instructional decisions and student learning. However, little research focuses on how teachers' beliefs about the role of race and gender in mathematics teaching and learning influence educational equity within classrooms. This gap is partly due to the lack of studies focused on variation within…

A better understanding of the ways in which school leaders frame collaboration is needed, as the framing of reform efforts plays a large role in steering change. This study explores how leaders' frames for collaboration intersect with teachers' collaborative work in four urban middle schools over time. Findings demonstrate the role of…

Maine's Portland Public Schools has for years been committed to racial equity, but that commitment has been both an asset and a barrier to making the district hospitable to educators of color. The district's progressive and anti-racist stance led many white educators to assume that their colleagues did not experience interpersonal or institutional…

This study was designed to explore educators' perceptions regarding exclusionary practices of students with disabilities by public school teachers and administrators. Additionally, the study investigated possible alternatives and interventions to exclusionary arrangements. Research questions included general education and special education…

The purpose of this research study was to examine the perceptions of STEM teachers on the factors contributing to successful STEM education in a Title I school district. A sample of educators who earned their degree in STEM fields and teach STEM related coursework in their district were interviewed and observed. The educators were interviewed to…

Advancing participatory equity -- cultivating classrooms with fair (not necessarily equal) opportunities to participate -- requires a deep understanding of students' varied learning experiences. Who is invited to participate and in what ways? Who has genuine opportunities to engage with rich mathematics? Who feels they have space to contribute?…

Restorative justice (RJ) has become increasingly accepted in schools worldwide as an effective way to build, maintain and repair student relationships and to deal with student conflict, harm and behavioural issues. It is rare, however, to find schools that utilise RJ to deal with adult relational and behavioural issues. Drawing on a case study in…

For several decades now, there have been calls for the creation of inclusive learning environments within regular classroom settings. Teachers and other practitioners involved in this task need various types of guidance to assist them. While general principles deduced from empirically-based positivist studies are valuable, micro-sociology based…

The purpose of this survey study was to investigate the perceptions of music teachers in the state of Wisconsin about their use of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in music classrooms. One hundred seventy-nine music educators completed the survey. Music teachers indicated that many of them do not have access to student IEPs and that…