Changing Elementary Education: A Matter of Teacher Coherence

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: The Social Side of Educational Change

Abstract

While college advantage is growing for students from educated, high-income families, the scenario is different for low-income students. Educators, researchers and policy makers concerned about college under-enrollment have traditionally focused reform efforts at the high school level giving little attention to implementing policies and practices at the elementary level. There is an increasing number of organizations that are designing elementary school programs to improve college readiness. The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a qualitative study of one elementary whole school program that places college readiness at its core. This study examines how coherence among elementary teachers impact school change. Gaining a deeper understanding of this reform effort has implications for educational change more generally.

Authors

• Lea A. Hubbard, University of San Diego

• Kelly Metz-Matthews, University of San Diego