Success Stories and CIP Studies Related to School Culture

Success Stories are published reports that demonstrate how taking particular cultural or social issues into account can improve educational practice and students' learning. CIP studies are reports in which educational practitioners used the CIP to examine a particular cultural or social issue related to their practice; all proper names within the studies are pseudonyms.

School Culture in General (3.2, 4.2, 5.2)

CIP Studies

Babak K. and Family (1999)
A study of a 5-year-old Iranian boy who appeared to be regressing in a preschool program for students with developmental disabilities.

I'm Going to Fail (2003)
A study of a female Muslim honor role student who struggled with her high school mathematics course.

Jimmy D: "My Mamma Don't Want No Drug-dealer For a Son" (1999)
A study of a quiet 16-year-old African-American boy in a special education program for mild mentally retarded students.

Math Can Be A Dangerous Thing--If It Is Being Done By Girls (2001)
An examination of the attitudes and behaviors of high school junior and senior girls when choosing higher-level mathematics courses.

Understanding Sam (2002)
A study of a 6-year-old African American boy in kindergarten whose behavior puzzled his teacher.

Why Don't They Get It? (2000)
An examination by a math resource teacher of ways to help elementary mathematics teachers balance the needs of a diverse, low-income population with the pressures of state standards and exams.

Competition (3.2.1, 4.2.1, 5.2.1)

Success Stories

Hawaiian Students pre-K through Third grade
Teachers used less competitive classroom practices to build success among elementary Hawaiian students.

Labor Union Literacy Education Program
A labor union worked with a reading specialist and an anthropologist to create a less competitive model to help its members pass a difficult licensing test.

Tracking or Ability Grouping (3.2.2, 4.2.2, 5.2.2)

Success Stories

AVID Untracking Program
In this college preparation program several instructional practices, a changed school culture, peer groups, and parental support helped to boost the enrollment of underrepresented students in colleges and universities.

Programs for English Language Learners (3.2.3, 4.2.3, 5.2.3)

Success Stories

Reading in Spanish and in English
A bilingual program improved English language arts instruction for Spanish-speaking students by helping them transfer their Spanish reading skills to English.