The term and construct "school-to-prison" pipeline has been widely used by advocates, researchers, and policymakers to describe the relationship between school disciplinary practices and increased risk of juvenile justice contact. It has been unclear whether the construct is a useful heuristic or a descriptor of empirically validated…

This literature review presents insights from existing research on how teachers view their role in creating safe schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) students. Analysis of the literature shows that there are concerns for LGBTQI students' safety in schools, that educational settings operate from…

This article describes efforts to introduce students in a first-year studies course to social justice principles with attention to the initial preparation of students for social activism. After describing the coursework and related activities, we share the findings--from observation and survey sources--associated with the initial social activism…

In this paper we examine the degree to which recent research and writing about professional development school activity indicates progress toward fulfilling the professional development school model's commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities and outcomes, especially from a critical pedagogy perspective. Our review of 95 papers…

We examine a century of rhetoric on the home/school relation and investigate how current ideas about this relationship and associated parent involvement might inhibit the realization of justice, equity, and excellence in education. The phrase home/school relation refers to the actual and theoretical pattern of prescribed interactions and…

Surveys the year's work in social justice education, examining books and articles that reflect a social justice orientation to K-12 and higher education. Focuses on various dimensions of social inequality and oppression (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, language, and religion) that bear on teaching, the classroom, and/or diverse students…

Defines critical literature, offering a theoretical rationale for its contribution to social education and enhancement of self-awareness. Provides specific examples of critical literature for social education, suggesting possible uses across developmental and experiential levels and exploring the need to use critical literature wisely. Discusses…

Examined the literature to answer: (1) "What outcomes have resulted from preservice teachers' involvement in service-learning activities in diverse community settings?" and (2) "What challenges exist to enhance their multicultural teaching competencies through service-learning?" Summarizes three challenges (e.g., the resiliency of preservice…

Reviews research and programs concerned with improving race relations at institutions of higher education. Discussion is organized into the following sections: (1) review of the problem; (2) a context for inclusion; (3) innovative strategies to improve racial climate; and (4) the role of academic institutions and the states. (EV)

Using Massachusetts as a case study, calls into question some of the common sense approaches to education reform and discusses how political-economic ideologies embedded in high-stakes testing adversely affect Latinos and obfuscate the growing social inequalities in U.S. society. Argues that educational opportunity programs are the missing link…

Although during the last two decades overt forms of discrimination against Mexican American students have become less common, today a variety of more sophisticated and powerful forms of prejudice are prevalent. They continue to damage school children psychologically and emotionally. The quest for equity in education must also become stronger and…

Examines the problem of equity in school funding, noting the relationship between poverty, racial composition, spending, and student achievement. Discusses how equity is measured; the influence of the social context (i.e., ghettoization, corporate deals, and political spins); the impact of the legal context; and the issue of equity versus justice.…

Authors Elliot Eisner, Ivan Illich, and Aldous Huxley take similar positions about language in education, professing that schools limit student access to an adequate range of learning opportunities, resulting in narrow definitions of literacy and education. Examines Eisner's attitude about curriculum balance, Illich's beliefs about tools for…

Synthesizes a body of literature that captures the complexities involved when considering the role that culture plays in learning. Concludes that culture is too important to be overlooked or disregarded, but that information about cultural groups should not be overgeneralized since there is great variation within cultures. (SLD)

Reviews American educational policy and indigenous language loss, the importance of language revitalization, and various models of language-immersion studies. A case study reports on Papahana Kaiapuni, the Hawaiian language immersion program established in 1987. This program is an example of a native community's efforts to revitalize its language.…