This study examines the effects of community college institutional factors on the academic achievement of African American males and their perceptions of their college experience. The authors found that African American men are disproportionately underachieving in community colleges in California. African American men have greater amounts of dissatisfaction with community college and do not engage with the various segments of the college when compared to the other subgroups in the study. Two variables - faculty interaction and campus climate - predicted if African American male students transferred, had higher grade point averages, and graduated at higher rates.

This report provides a framework for the development of policy in national and state legislation, at the school board level and inside the AFT itself. It focuses on ways to end institutional racism in the criminal justice system and offers concrete steps to create schools where parents want to send their children, where students -- particularly boys of color -- are engaged, and where educators want to work.

This research study provides a comprehensive review of the ways in which schools of choice can advance academic outcomes for students through charters, college preparation programs, and single gender models. It reports three school models that have demonstrated success, followed by a discussion regarding undergirding program themes. Key recommendations for administrators and policy makers include reform strategies for discipline-related infractions, a reevaluation of the role of culture and its significance in the classroom, and the continual collaboration amongst school, home, and community.

This research study provides a comprehensive review of the ways in which schools of choice can advance academic outcomes for students through charters, college preparation programs, and single gender models. It reports three school models that have demonstrated success, followed by a discussion regarding undergirding program themes. Key recommendations for administrators and policy makers include reform strategies for discipline-related infractions, a reevaluation of the role of culture and its significance in the classroom, and the continual collaboration amongst school, home, and community.

This research study provides a comprehensive review of the ways in which schools of choice can advance academic outcomes for students through charters, college preparation programs, and single gender models. It reports three school models that have demonstrated success, followed by a discussion regarding undergirding program themes. Key recommendations for administrators and policy makers include reform strategies for discipline-related infractions, a reevaluation of the role of culture and its significance in the classroom, and the continual collaboration amongst school, home, and community.

The middle grades are a time of dramatic growth for youth. This is a time period marked by significant physical and emotional changes, as adolescents experience the early stages of puberty and a late spurt in brain development. It is also a time marked by the increasing importance and influence of peers and increasing independence from parents and other family members.

In schools, the middle grades mark a unique period of transition. Students entering middle schools are exposed to a more fluid environment with changing classes, multiple teachers, rotating schedules, and significantly larger numbers of students at each grade level that come from different elementary schools. There are increased expectations for student academic performance and behavior/self-control. Middle grades students are also expected to assume greater responsibility for their learning and to develop and put to use critical work-study skills including task persistence, completing assignments and projects on time, time management, and organizational skills.

This report focuses on a growing body of research that demonstrates a strengthening of the middle grades experience is a critical leverage point for improving high school graduation rates and increasing the number of students who graduate prepared for higher education.