Storytelling, Leadership, and the Law: Using Amicus Briefs to Understand the Impact of School District Policies and Practices Related to Transgender Student Inclusion

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Lewis ◽  
Suzanne E. Eckes

Purpose: In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a highly publicized case brought by a transgender student, G.G., who was denied access to the bathroom that corresponds with his gender identity. Ultimately, the Court never heard this case, but the documents submitted to the Court remain a part of the historical record, worthy of examination beyond their legal value. In this study, we analyze the first person accounts presented in the “friend of the court” (amicus) briefs to better understand the human impact of policies and practices related to transgender student inclusion. Method: This research utilizes legal research methods to bound the study design. We draw from legal storytelling, which originates in law, and narrative inquiry, which can be found in educational research. In doing so, we provide a synthesis of all amicus briefs submitted in the G.G. case that include personal, firsthand accounts, stories, and experiences. Findings: Overall, the personal stories highlight the implications of inclusive and noninclusive policies and practices. Where noninclusive policies were in place, individuals shared experiences of bullying, academic harm, medical concerns, and inconsistencies in implementation. On the other hand, inclusive policies were associated with confidence building and academic engagement, and a benefit to all students. Stories also reveal that common fears such as safety or privacy did not materialize in the experiences of individuals represented in the briefs. Implications: Informed by these stories, we present implications for research, policy, and practice. Stories reveal the importance of leadership, communication, and professional development.

Author(s):  
Shytierra Gaston

African Americans are disproportionately victimized by various forms of racialized violence. This long-standing reality is rooted in America’s history of racist violence, one manifestation being racial lynchings. This article investigates the long-term, intergenerational consequences of racial lynchings by centering the voices and experiences of victims’ families. The data comprise in-depth interviews with twenty-two descendants of twenty-two victims lynched between 1883 and 1972 in the U.S. South. I employed a multistage qualitative analysis, revealing three main domains of harmful impacts: psychological, familial, and economic. The findings underscore that racist violence has imposed harm beyond victims and for many decades and generations after the violent event. These long-term, intergenerational harms, especially if multiplied across countless incidents, can fundamentally impact the well-being of individuals, families, and communities as well as contribute to structural and macrolevel forces. Findings from this study have implications for research, policy, and practice, including efforts toward redress and reparations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-57
Author(s):  
John Githii Kimani ◽  
Dr. George Ruigu Ruigu

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of research and development investment/expenditure on the agricultural sector performance in Kenya.Methodology: The study took the peoples impact assessment direction. The data for this study was collected from various government agencies such as KARI, ASTI, Kenya Agricultural Sector Data compendium website, FAOSTAT, World Bank among others. Co-integration and error correction modeling methods were used in analyzing the data for this study.Results: Co-integration results for both the parsimonious and non-parsimonious model indicated that that there is a long-run relationship among the variables in the agriculture performance in Kenya. Further, findings in this study indicated that the variables under study were insignificant determinants of the long run Total Factor Productivity of the agricultural sector.  Meanwhile, Trade openness was the only significant determinant of the short run agricultural Total Factor Productivity.Unique Contribution to Policy and Practice: This study recommends the institutionalization of policies aimed at ensuring interaction between the various stakeholders in the agricultural sectors. This interaction will ensure that resources are better allocated to reduce duplication of research and dissemination activities. In addition, greater collaboration among the stakeholders will promote and strengthen the connection between research, policy and the application of research findings. The study further advocates that the government should follow a trade liberazation oriented approach to the agricultural sector as opposed to a trade tightening approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allysa L. Ciancio ◽  
Raza M. Mirza ◽  
Amy A. Ciancio ◽  
Christopher A. Klinger

Context: Though palliative sedation has been recognized as an acceptable practice in Canada for many years now, there is a lack of clinical research and guidelines pertaining to its use as a treatment of existential refractory symptoms in the terminally ill. Objectives: This scoping review aimed to survey the literature surrounding palliative sedation and existential suffering and to inform research, policy, and practice. Methods: To address the main research question: Is palliative sedation an acceptable intervention to treat existential refractory symptoms in adults aged 65 and older? a scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was performed, spanning electronic databases of the peer reviewed and grey literature. Articles were screened for inclusion, and a thematic content analysis allowed for a summary of key findings. Results: Out of 427 search results, 71 full text articles were obtained, 20 of which were included. Out of these articles, four themes were identified as key findings. These included: (1) Ethical considerations; (2) The role of the health care provider; looking specifically at the impact on nurses; (3) The need for multidisciplinary care teams; and (4) Existential suffering’s connection to religiosity and spirituality. Conclusion: Palliative sedation to treat existential refractory symptoms was labelled a controversial practice. A shortage of evidence-based resources limits the current literature’s ability to inform policy and clinical practice. There is a need for both qualitative and quantitative multi-center research so health care professionals and regional-level institutions have firm roots to establish proper policy and practice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 35-46
Author(s):  
Emma Davies ◽  
Elizabeth Rowe

Purpose – The aim of this paper is on what the authors learnt from negotiating the difficult terrain linking, or separating, research from policy advice and the political process. Design/methodology/approach – This paper outlines two case studies from New Zealand to examine what confounds and what bridges gaps between research, policy, politics and practice. The case studies were predicated on the belief that interagency and cross-sectoral actions were necessary to align actions and achieve good outcomes in social policy. Findings – Interagency processes are not the Holy Grail. More attention needs to be paid to the impact of the context in which researchers, public servants and politicians operate and of the research and policy-making processes within their organisations. Politics within and between organisations and politics on the national stage must also be understood if the gap between research, policy and practice is to be narrowed and successfully navigated. Originality/value – These are original case studies. Researchers often bemoan the failure of their findings to influence policy and practice; policy makers complain that researchers are unaware of “real world” timeframes and policy concerns, and politicians grow impatient with advice that takes little heed of political imperatives. Therefore, these case studies will be of particular interest to students and practitioners of social policy and researchers who wish to see their findings influence policy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Gaetz

The Canadian Homelessness Research Network (CHRN) was established to create a stronger link between homelessness research, policy, and practice. The knowledge mobilization strategy of the CHRN encompasses engaged scholarship, networking, and innovative dissemination practices. Part of the learning of the CHRN has been the need to reimagine and redefine the traditional relationship between content creation and dissemination. Using a “design thinking” perspective, the CHRN has nurtured a practice that integrates collaborative processes of knowledge and content development with a more assertive involvement in different aspects of publishing (and modes of publication), including graphic design, marketing, communications, and dissemination, with the goal of increasing the impact of research. This article explores this shift, using examples of work the CHRN produced and disseminated through the Homeless Hub.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-175
Author(s):  
Hedy Cleaver ◽  
Wendy Rose ◽  
Elizabeth Young ◽  
Rebecca Veitch

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of pregnancy or baby loss on families, and their ability to access suitable support. Miscarriage and stillbirth are not rare events and losing a baby can have an overwhelming and long-term impact on parents and on existing and subsequent children.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides an overview of current relevant research, policy and practice.FindingsMuch research and service provision focuses on pregnancy or baby loss for parents without living children. This is predicated on the widely held assumption that existing children provide a protective factor mitigating the loss and going on to have another child is the best antidote to grief. Research does not substantiate this but highlights the difficulties parents experience when coping with pregnancy or baby loss alongside the needs of looking after existing children.Originality/valueThe identification of a “hidden” group of parents and children whose mental health and wellbeing is at risk without the provision of services. A tailored approach to the needs of the family is called for, including greater collaboration between statutory and third sector organisations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-18
Author(s):  
P. Golden Thomas ◽  
M. Bruyère Susanne ◽  
Karpur Arun ◽  
Nazarov Zafar ◽  
Vanlooy Sara ◽  
...  

Individuals with disabilities have lower rates of workforce participation and lower earnings than their nondisabled peers. This article traces the history of the U.S. workforce development policy framework, including the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the impact of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 on both of these policies. Reviewing literature and administrative data, we discuss how these policies have impacted current rehabilitation practice and identify remaining service delivery gaps. We conclude with a set of recommendations for enhancing the current workforce development policy and practice environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 723-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Lewis ◽  
Sarah Kern

Purpose: A significant and growing body of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) research examines the experiences of students, employees, and the substance of leadership training. This project aims to complement this work by taking a macro-level look at the broader legal and policy issues that may constrain or enhance a school district leader’s ability to promote LGBTQ inclusion. Through an examination LGBTQ issues, this article will explore the relationship between various sources of legal authority and the role of law in policy implementation. Method: This article employs legal research methodology to illuminate the breadth of the law affecting LGBTQ issues in schools. Findings: The impact of law on education policy and practice is far-reaching and complex. LGBTQ law is composed of many intersecting sources of legal authority. This article argues that legal literacy is more than a tool that can be used to avoid legal liability; it can be used as a proactive advocacy tool to promote social justice and LGBTQ inclusion. Implications: Educational leaders, researchers, and leadership preparation programs need to be aware of the ways in which the law can hinder or support social justice leadership. As such, this article includes implications for research, policy, practice, and leadership preparation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 643-644
Author(s):  
Margaret Campbell ◽  
Matthew Janicki

Abstract This symposium elaborates on the theme of the 2020 conference, “Why Age Matters”, to include aging with disability. We ask: “can an increased focus on aging with disability within gerontological research, policy, and practice advance our knowledge of disablement across the life cycle and improve our design and implementation of health and social service interventions’? Five experts will address this from differing perspectives (including gerontology and rehabilitation). One presentation draws on national/ regional data to illustrate the changing demographics of aging and disability and highlights the health consequences of aging with- and aging into, long-term physical disabilities. A second uses data from a mixed methods study to demonstrate the unique challenges experienced by adults aging with spinal cord injury with a focus on the impact of specific environmental barriers and facilitators to maintain health and participation in social roles. A third covers three reports on data from a scoping review to document the exclusion of middle-aged and older adults with disabilities from behavioral clinical trials and describes how translational research strategies can be used to help close this gap. A fourth presents examples of how technologies, such as videoconferencing and voice activation, are being used to deliver and enhance existing EB interventions to improve health, physical activity, and participation for individuals aging with mobility impairments. The last one draws on research and scholarly work from both gerontology and rehabilitation to highlight the co-occurring issues of ageism and ableism and describes how reducing ableism is central to successfully reframing aging. Lifelong Disabilities Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.


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