This article argues for a social and cultural perspective on mathematics education that sees mathematical knowledge as a "new" civil right and cites The Algebra Project as an example of culturally-responsive instruction. Recommendations are made for reforming teacher education, by including a course for all prospective middle and high school…

Although the nature of parent involvement changes as children get older and varies from family to family, junior high school teachers and the families they serve recognize the value of parent involvement in young adolescents' education. Teachers, parents, and students, however, are often uncertain about how to initiate parent involvement in their…

The purpose of this article is to share school research that studied the factors perceived by students as having the greatest influence regarding their transition from eighth grade to ninth grade. Students at a large comprehensive Midwestern high school completed a survey in which they rated the items they believed assisted them in finding success…

The rise in numbers of students with disabilities entering higher education necessitates stronger transition programs between high schools and postsecondary institutions. Under current transition plans, many students with disabilities leave high school without the self-advocacy skills they need to survive in college. Further, although some…

The role of secondary administrators, including but not limited to principals, guidance directors, curriculum supervisors, department chairs, and special education directors, is important to the success of students with disabilities. Administrators equipped with the knowledge and skills to support the implementation of evidence-based practices of…

Educators face the dilemma of zero tolerance versus zero rejection. The pressure to maintain safe classrooms while simultaneously educating all students is a challenging proposition. This article is used to share data that were collected as part of a larger study on teachers' beliefs about their own self-efficacy regarding general classroom…

This article describes what is known about ways in which middle and secondary school educators have improved curricula, instruction, and assessment practices and reorganized to achieve increased collaboration and responsiveness for all students' needs. It describes seven prominently used instructional strategies and four reorganization strategies…

This paper discusses the practical ramifications of competing theoretical perspectives in special education. Despite the relationship between scholarly conceptions of special education and its ultimate practice, the paper concludes with empirical data that appears to indicate that many (if not most) practicing administrators fail to appreciate…

The current emphasis on school reform makes many demands on principals. The case study in this article describes the experiences of one urban junior high school principal who was part of a five-year federal grant that targets schools with at-risk youth. Themes that emerged from this qualitative study include school culture, educator and student…

Secondary teachers can deepen a student's understanding or make important mathematical connections by using children's literature in their classrooms. Students increase their mathematical knowledge when they can find purpose in the mathematics they study. This article describes activities based on children's literature used by both pre-service…

Through a project called "By Teens, for Teachers," 464 short essays were written by teenagers about issues specific to the experience of today's adolescents. In this descriptive study, participants chose from thirteen different writing prompts derived from an extensive literature review to reflect issues in adolescent development. Essays were…

This study explores principals' roles in a large, urban, standards-based induction program. Principals from eight high schools, four middle schools, and 42 elementary schools were surveyed. Five case study schools were investigated using interviews of principals, novice teachers, and focus groups for mentors and site induction coordinators.…

Many high schools administer state-mandated standardized achievement tests in large-group arena settings. This practice conflicts with the notion that students "test" better in small-group instructional setting. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not a significant performance differential existed between students taking the…

The purpose of this article is to share classroom action research studying the perception of students to a differentiated, alternative assessment model in a secondary science classroom. Results of the study indicated the majority of the students preferred the differentiated, alternative assessment model to solely traditional assessment. The…

The No Child Left Behind Act is the most far-reaching attempt by the federal government to alter American public education in the last thirty years. Among other things, the act attempts to hold schools accountable by requiring that all teachers be highly qualified, that all students demonstrate proficiency in basic subject matter as measured by…