“A belief is just a thought you keep thinking” (Hicks & Hicks, 2009, p. 17). This book was written with the focus of changing our thoughts and beliefs through compassion for all. We are not here to lead the reader down a specific path, but instead we support the reader on a journey toward deeper understanding of the issues that are pervasive in our society and schools.

We are cognizant of the fact that violence, and gun violence in particular, often masks deeply rooted issues of bigotry and oppression. We hope that this small volume makes a difference for the cause of social justice that is so pressing in our world.

The first ten chapters of this book are based on specific topics such as gender identity and expression, gender, race, socioeconomic status, refugees, whiteness, special education, sexual harassment, and school violence. Beginning with a story composed to showcase issues related to social justice, the authors carefully selected literature pertinent to each topic, embedding theory into the case and...

According to Orr, Baum, Brown, Gill, Kahn, and Salem (2015),“Transgender describes a person whose gender identity is different from what is generally considered typical from their sex assigned at birth” (p. 6). Because of a lack of knowledge about transgender individuals and the concept of gender in particular on the part of many teachers and administrators, the idea of making...

This case is written from the perspective of Ms. Jade, an English teacher who tries to protect her female students from the sexism and the sexual harassment that is so prevalent in this particular school culture. After several twists and turns, we find Ms. Jade at crossroads. Should she press for educational interventions that would benefit her students and the school, despite the fact that they...

Intimidation, bullying, and harassment that take place in schools greatly impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. LGBTQ students who experience school-based discrimination and harassment experience more negative academic outcomes and psychological struggles than their non-LGBTQ peers (Martin & Beese, 2016).

This case on student attendance was developed for education students specializing in K–12 educational administration. It can be used in a leadership, special education, or policy course for future school administrators or teachers. Attendance problems are common, but many schools fail to systematically address absenteeism for the majority of students who are chronically absent (Sprick,...

Research over the past thirty years has found that effective principals can significantly impact student achievement and learning (Marzano, Waters, & McNulty, 2005; Steiner, Hassel, & Hassel, 2008). The school turnaround process must be systematic and comprehensive to ensure sustainability (Chrisman, 2005). The turnaround principal is an individual possessing a complexity of competencies....

As Carol Dweck describes in her book, Self-Theories (2013), the difference between entity theory and incremental theory can be encapsulated in the context of a first impression. Incremental theory is highly adaptable and entity theory is maladaptive, with individuals seeing things as fixed or in black and white. Individuals with an incremental self-theory tend to have a growth mindset,...

The library’s curriculum resource area (CRA) is a place where education students can check out books, manipulatives, and various other resources in their pursuit of acquiring the skills necessary to become teachers. Within the CRA is an “African American” display, conceivably revealing African American culture, as the display reads, but actually offering Jim Crow-esque...

In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) established the terms disability and high risk and new requirements were established for educators. EAHCA was considered landmark federal legislation that secured and protected access to general and individualized education services for K–12 students identified with cognitive and/or physical disabilities (Ballard...

This case is inspired by the Catherine Ferguson Academy in Detroit, Michigan. Catherine Ferguson is a public school for pregnant teens and young mothers created to support these young women with real coursework and day care so the students can bring their children to school with them.

The issue of school safety has become of paramount importance to legislators, administrators, teachers, and parents. Incidents of violence in schools such as those at Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Red Lake Senior High have graphically illustrated the cause for alarm and action in order to provide secure educational environments. The causes of school violence are complicated and deeply rooted....

For most of the history of American education, students of color and students in poverty were viewed as culturally deprived, and thus not capable of achieving on par with their white, middle-class counterparts. Instead, they were provided with tracked classes and watered-down curriculums, less qualified or capable teachers, and fewer academic resources. According to Paris (2012), “Deficit...

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Jane A. Beese is an associate professor at Youngstown State University in the Department of Educational Foundations, Research, Technology, and Leadership. She teaches a range of courses in the masters and doctoral degree programs. The scope of her professional knowledge base and teaching expertise is broad, spanning several areas, including learning theory and instruction,...