With the implementation of AB 705 in fall 2019, California Community Colleges began to transition to a majority of students' first English and math enrollment starting at transfer level. Research has shown that with the vast increase in access to transfer-level courses, the one-year completion rate of a transfer-level course (i.e., throughput)…

This study examined the effect on pass rates from one community college after removing developmental English prerequisites on non-English credit-bearing courses in Fall 2020. This mixed methods quasi-experimental research evaluated whether a developmental English prerequisite is necessary for completion of credit-bearing courses and identified…

There is growing evidence that school starting age impacts children's likelihood of receiving special education services, but less is known about variations in this effect. Using a regression discontinuity design, I found that the youngest students in a kindergarten cohort are 40% more likely (p < 0.001) to be placed in special education than…

One of the core dimensions of historical and social science inquiry is "[d]eveloping questions and planning inquiries" according to the National Council for the Social Studies' College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework. Yet existing education research, instructional resources, and assessment have ignored how students frame problems…

Developmental education is critical in the future of higher education and for the large numbers of college and university students entering higher education. Developmental education sometimes carries a negative connotation, one that is misappropriated to developmental education itself, the students, and the colleges or universities they attend.…

Learning opportunities and academic achievement of English learners (ELs) continue to receive spotlight in the field. However, research in "new destination states" (e.g., Tennessee, Virginia)--where schools are experiencing unprecedented growth in ELs--remains limited. Additionally, subgroups within the EL population warrant further…

Multiple measures provide additional evidence a student may present, beyond an assessment score, that can indicate college readiness. This resource provides data on multiple measures that may be allowed to determine placement using the following categories: (1) other standardized and normed exams, or locally developed exams; (2) high school…

Structural racism--implicitly discriminatory practices and policies that have negative consequences for individuals and groups of color--is a powerful force in contemporary American society, including in our public education system. This article explores the potential for school social workers (SSWers) to address structural racism through the use…

Charter schools are a growing phenomenon in the contemporary educational landscape. In this article, charter schools are defined, and the various reasons that contributed to the creation of, and interest in, charter schools are briefly described. Select examples of successful, well-performing charters are profiled, along with criticisms of charter…

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements,…

Relative age effects occur when older and younger students are peers in the same classroom. Previous research in this field has shown that older children have higher academic achievement compared to the youngest children in the same grade. This study examined the effects of separating kindergarten students into classes based solely on age. The…

These are the appendices for the report, "Strengthening California's Transfer Pathway." California's higher education system depends heavily on community colleges. California enrolls a much larger share of recent high school graduates in community colleges than other states--but is near the bottom when it comes to enrolling in four-year…

Every nursing programme requires placements where nursing students and trainee nursing associates can spend the required hours in practice-based learning, on the pathway to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In recent years, the introduction of new assessment standards and the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19…

Purpose: Work-based placements are central to the university education of allied health and social work (AHSW) students. As a result of COVID-19, the clinical learning environment of students' work-based placements was dramatically altered resulting in numerous documented challenges. This inter-disciplinary study aimed to evaluate AHSW students'…

Allied health clinical placements take place within an increasingly overstretched health care system where demand for services often exceeds availability of resources. Within this environment, student placements are often perceived as an additional burden to an already overwhelmed workforce. This study explored whether the quality of patient care…