Termination of Desegregation Decrees and the Elusive Meaning of Unitary Status

Discusses the termination of desegregation decrees and the elusive meaning of unitary status, first introducing the topic and then covering Jenkins III and providing an overview of desegregation scholarship including discretion, capacity, and legitima. Also discusses the evolution of equity, including English equity, American equity, and equity and desegregation. Explores the concepts of relevant rights and interests, focusing on Hohfeld, the interest theory of rights, and the application of the rights theory. The conclusion posits that what remains is a complicated and confused desegregation jurisprudence, and that the lines that separate desegregation from integration from diversity, if there ever were such lines, are blurring. A discussion of the theoretical premises underlying desegregation appears to continue to be necessary.

Exploring the Influence of Vocabulary Instruction on Students’ Understanding of Mathematical Concepts

In this action research study of my classroom of 8th grade mathematics, I investigated the influence of vocabulary instruction on students’ understanding of the mathematics concepts. I discovered that knowing the meaning of the vocabulary did play a major role in the students’ understanding of the daily lessons and the ability to take tests. Understanding the vocabulary and the concepts allowed the students to be successful on their daily assignments, chapter tests, and standardized achievement tests. I also discovered that using different vocabulary teaching strategies enhanced equity in my classroom among diverse learners. The knowledge of the math vocabulary increased my students’ confidence levels, which in turn increased their daily and test scores. As a result of this research, I plan to find ways to incorporate the vocabulary teaching strategies I have used into current math curriculum. I will start this process at the beginning of the next school year, and will continue looking for new strategies that will promote math vocabulary retention.