This dissertation explores children's authors' experiences of and motivations for including religious and spiritual themes in their picture books. It investigates the intricate connection between authors' backgrounds, including their cultural, spiritual, or religious, and familial roots, and how these elements permeate their writing. The study…

This study examined how and to what extent a prekindergarten teacher's perceptions of ready children and diversity--which are influenced by broader societal culture--influence their abilities and ways of incorporating children's funds of knowledge into their practice. The methodology used was based on a descriptive case study of a teacher, Linda,…

New reforms in science education call for three-dimensional learning by integrating disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and "crosscutting concepts" (CCCs). These reforms defined the new term, crosscutting concept (CCC), as a lens that has explanatory power across disciplines. To describe how researchers are…

Drawing insights from an ethnographic study with two young refugee-background children, this paper examines the multiple contexts that influence their identity negotiations during their first three years of resettlement to the United States. The analysis aims to expand the growing literature on funds of identity (FOI) with specific attention to…

This survey study evaluated the relationship between cultural worldview and the occurrence of climate science misconceptions among 688 undergraduates at five colleges in the United States. The Worldview, Misconceptions, and Cognitive Reflection instrument was employed to measure respondents' cultural worldview, climate science misconceptions using…

This study investigated research trends in civic and citizenship education by systematically reviewing research regarding international frameworks for civic and citizenship education. We focused on major international large-scale assessments -- specifically, the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study, and its predecessor, the Civic…

Until recently, the role of material culture in language has been little studied or seen as the context where language use is situated (Aronin et al., 2018). This article looks at the materiality of language in a new light by arguing that everyday objects such as kitchen utensils and wardrobes can be seen as deliberate and conscious collections…

School literacy in North America continues to focus on society's dominant languages. Literacy curriculum -- particularly during early grades -- has an urgency for children to quickly master emergent literacy skills in the official languages, vindicating the exclusion of literacy in other minoritized languages that multilingual children bring to…

Despite the growth of the Maker Movement, few studies have examined what learning opportunities in teacher education programs facilitate preservice teachers' understanding of inclusive making for students from diverse backgrounds. This study explored how preservice teachers used their funds of knowledge for making projects in a STEM education…

This study explored the role of critical reflection on faith formation of Indonesian female Christian students who study in selected colleges in Southern California. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants and the age of interviewees ranged from 19 to 26 years old. Data analysis was carried out using NVivo 12. From the…

Diversity in cultures, languages and identities is a valuable resource in urban education. There is empirical evidence to support this assertion in the existing literature on "funds of knowledge" and "funds of identity." However, the main focus of such research is on the tacit knowledge, skills, and resources that students--and…

This article focuses on the extraordinary literacies of four Haitian and Haitian American Girls enrolled in a middle grades out-of-school literacy program in Miami, Florida. I examine how the girls narrated Black transnational girlhood through autobiographical writings, classroom discussions, and media analyses. I define the girls' intellectual…

Higher education perpetuates assimilationist ideas at odds with how an increasingly diverse student population makes meaning of their learning experiences. There is a heightened exigence to engage in inclusive and equity-minded teaching practices at Hispanic Serving Institutions where structural inequalities still prevail due to whiteness and…

Traditional Chinese fiddle instruments have a long history, with their origins dating back over a thousand years. They are an integral part of Chinese culture and have evolved over time, incorporating various regional styles and techniques. The objective is to examine the historical perspective on literacy and learning resources of traditional…

This dissertation delves into the unique experiences of contemporary polygamist women pursuing higher education, exploring the intersectionality of their cultural backgrounds, educational aspirations, and the challenges they encounter within academic settings. The study critically examines the applicability of equity-centered, trauma-informed…