• About Us
• Academics
• Community Engagement
• Raza on Campus
• Online Resources
  • K-12 Educational Research
  • Minnesotano Organizations
  • History, Culture, & Politics
• News & Events
• Alumni
• Make a Gift

Home > Online Resources > K-12 Educational Research : Resources for K-12 Education

Resources for K-12 Education

Youth Development in the Middle School Years

All Students Reaching the Top (PDF)
Strategies for Closing Academic Achievement Gaps
The National Study Group for the Affirmative Development of Academic Ability Learning Point Associates. 2004.
Closing the gaps in academic achievement between groups of students from different social divisions (class, ethnicity, gender, and language) will require the development of intellective competence in a wide range of individuals through interventions in our homes, communities, and schools. This report describes one approach in order to reach this goal.

After School Alliance News Breif no. 19 (PDF)
After School: A Natural Platform for Career Development
After School Alert Issue Brief No. 19. The After School Alliance. August 2004.
After school programs are vital for preparing youth to become confident, caring, and productive adults in a world that grows more demanding every year, although while there is less time during the regular school day to equip students with the knowledge and skills they will need to successfully adapt in an increasing evolving marketplace.

After School Alliance News Breif no. 20 (PDF)
Older Youth Need Afterschool Programs
After School Alert Issue Brief No. 20. The After School Alliance. October 2004.
There is a necessity for an increase in afterschool programs that serve teens that still need guidance and adult supervision to help keep them safe, enrolled in school, and keep them along the path to success in life.

After School Alliance News Breif no. 18 (PDF)
Afterschool Programs Strengthen Communities
After School Alert Issue Brief No. 18. The After School Alliance. November 2004.
Afterschool programs are uniquely suited to be a safe space for both kids and parents to gather, to learn, play, and connect. By giving schools, community based organizations and communities a sound investment in one another. Afterschool programs have the power to reduce crime, increase safety, bring neighbors together, and foster community pride and ownership.

Diversity Kit (PDF)
An Introductory Resource for Social Change in Education. Part One: Human Development
Pacheco, María, Director. The LAB, a program of The Education Alliance at Brown University. 2002.
Current demographic trends and projections regarding the cultural and linguistic diversity of the United States indicates the importance of improving the educational experience of underprivileged student populations. A quality public education system is one that accepts the challenge of serving its diverse student populations and strives to address this challenge. This toolkit is an invitation to educators at all levels, policymakers, and communities to examine their beliefs, perceptions, behaviors, and educational practices with respect to diversity in education. It is meant to be a springboard or starting point for further discussions.

Cultural Brokers (PDF)
Cultural Brokers: Helping Latino Children on Pathways Toward Success
Cooper, Catherine R., Jill Denner, and Eduardo M. López. WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT Vol. 19 No. 2 Fall 1999.
Integrating the results of a series of studies focused on the children of Mexican-American immigrants in California, this article discusses ways that teachers, parents, siblings, and program staff can help young Latino students succeed in U.S. schools and live according to their parents’ values.

Double the Numbers: Postsecondary Attainment and Underrepresented Youth (PDF)
Higher Education Pipeline Evaluation of Access and Attainment
Parthenon Group.
Research conducted Jobs for the Future by the Parthenon Group investigates high school graduation rates, college entrance, and college success, focusing on the barriers to college entrance of students coming from low-income families and other underrepresented groups in society. The center’s research yielded three major conclusions summarizing the fact that access to higher education is vital aspect of the future, but still is not sufficient when denied access, which has become a constant battle occurring at many institutions of higher education across the nation.

Dropout Report 2003 (PDF)
Helping Students Finish School: Why They Drop Out and How to Help Them Graduate
Bergeson, Terry, Ph.D. State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Washington. December 2003.
This document examines the multi-faceted issues related to dropping out and suggests actions to improve schools and help students complete their education. Specifically, it summarizes research and professional literature in order to answer the following questions: Who is a dropout? How many students drop out of school in the U.S. and in Washington State? Who drops out of schools, and why? What can be done to reduce the number of dropouts?

Latino Youth and the Pathway to College (PDF)
Cabera, Alberto F.; Chul Lee; and Watson Scott Swali. The Pew Hispanic Center and the Educational Policy Institute. June 2003.
This 2003 study, conducted by the Educational Policy Institute through a grant from the Pew Hispanic Center provides an analysis of Latino achievement through postsecondary education. This report focuses on issues such as the act of going to college and earning a degree as important tool used in today’s society. In addition, this report focuses on individuals with a bachelor’s degree, who earn higher incomes than high school graduates, from which society as a whole gains from an educated citizenry. Unfortunately, access to a postsecondary education is not equal in America. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds at the postsecondary level are still less likely to prepare for, apply for, enroll in, or continue onto postsecondary education.

Promoting Academic Success Among Latino Youth (PDF)
DeGarmo, David S., J. Mark Eddy, Charles R. Martinez Jr. Oregon Social Learning Center. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 26 No. Sage Publications. 2, May 2004. 128-151.
This article describes results from the Oregon Latino Youth Survey, which was designed to identify factors promoting or hindering academic success for Latino middle school and high school students. The study samples included a total of 564 Latino and non-Latino students and parents. Analysis shows that Latino students reported a high frequency of discriminatory experiences and institutional barriers at school, and that Latino students and their parents were more likely to experience institutional barriers compared to non-Latinos. More parent involvement in academic extracurricular activity encouragement are associated with better academic outcomes for Latino students.

Youth and Education Program News (PDF)
Y&E Lessons in Learning
W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Summer 2004.
This publication focuses on bridging the gap between college and community. The current mission of the Youth and Education team is to align, mobilize, and strengthen community systems in ways that improve learning outcomes for vulnerable youth. These key aspects of outreach learning play important roles in young people’s development, ranging from the immediate and extended family, to school and health systems, to the mass media and business community.

Youth Development in the High School Years

College Credit in High School (PDF)
Increasing College Attainment Rates for Underrepresented Students
Nancy Hoffman. Change. July/August, 2003.
This article, documents the improvement of youth enrollment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses. For these students, these opportunities are few in existence and often times are seemingly out of reach in college settings. Key points of the article stress the importance of providing access to such programs in high schools around the nation, as a way to create a profound difference in student confidence and their desire to pursue college-level education.

College Transition Programs: Promoting Success Beyond High School (PDF)
Issue Papers: The High School Leadership Summit
U.S. Department of Education. 2002.
Statistics collected by the U.S. Department of Education and The National Education Longitudinal Study, state that in 1988, 88 percent of 8th graders were expected by their parents and high school advisors to attend some form of postsecondary education after high school graduation. 12 years later, only 63 percent of these students attended a postsecondary institution and even fewer graduated. This report examines problems youth face when they are not prepared for graduation and are not unequipped with all of the necessary and required skills needed to enroll in college.

Community College Puente: A Validating Model of Education (PDF)
Laura I. Rendón. Educational Policy, Vol. 16 No. 4. Crown Press. September 4, 2002.
Within the last 25 years, the necessity for creating high school outreach programs designed to increase the enrollment of Latina/o students in college has dramatically increased. In 1999, almost 60% of all Latino college students were enrolled in 2-year colleges, while retention and transfer rates to 4-year institutions remained low. Inside this report is information about project initiates designed to help middle and high school students with the process of matriculation into college. These programs work to ensure timely graduation from college in order to increase transfer rates, as well as work towards reducing retention.

Four Building Blocks for a System of Educational Opportunity (PDF)
Developing Pathways to and Through College for Urban Youth
Adria Steinberg, Cheryl Almeida, Lili Allen, and Sue Goldberger. Jobs for the Future. March 2003.
From the Margins to the Mainstream focuses on youth, their communities and their use of resources found both inside and outside of the classroom. These resources attempt to develop policies and practices to increase the powerful impact learning environments provide through their programming, resulting in the formation of a student’s pathway to high school diplomas and college-level studies.

Program Theories and Logic Models (PDF)
Wilder Research Center
What is a program theory? What is a logic model? How do I develop a logic model? Addressed in this article are the answers to these questions. By developing and maintaining program theories and logic models, one can often be captured in a series of "if-then" statements – IF something is done, THEN something is proposed to theoretically change. These logical theoretical statements can be used in such cases as managing aggression or monitoring the reduction and dismantling child abuse cases. Included are tips for creating your own program theory and logic model to help you improve an aspect of your personal life.

Tuition Rates won by MN Dream Act Movement in 2007 (PDF)
Schools that offer resident tuition rates regardless of citizenship status
Minnesota Freedom Network
This is a list of MN Colleges and Universities that offer a flat tuition rate to all their students or a resident tuition to MN highschool graduates. These schools listed do not require proof of immigration status.