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The empirical research examining the effects of virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) on principal leadership development is limited. Furthermore, little is known about school leaders who engage in virtual professional leadership learning communities (VPLCs) and how much school leaders grow with VPLCs who are also receiving VMC at the same time. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of VMC on school leaders' professional growth and to determine how school leaders perceived the effectiveness of the VMC while being engaged in VPLCs. The findings showed positive effects of VMC on school leaders' professional leadership development, and the younger practicing leaders tended to benefit more from the VPLCs.

Purpose: This study was conducted in the United States of America to identify what practices virtual mentor-coaches perceived to be effective in virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) within virtual professional learning communities (VPLCs). The authors also sought to determine the ways in which virtual mentor-coaches provided VMC for school leaders within VPLCs. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a phenomenological approach in our research, describing the lived experiences of practicing virtual mentor-coaches as they engaged in VMC. Data analysis included video analysis and systematic coding of interview data. Findings: An in-depth analysis of interview and video data showed that virtual mentor-coaches support school leaders in developing and transforming school leaders' leadership for building teachers' instructional capacity. The authors identified a VMC process model within VPLCs, including four steps as follows: (1) presentation, (2) collaboration, (3) reflection and (4) action plan. Practical implications: VMC for school leaders participating in VPLCs is regarded as a transformative model which provides encouragement, reflection and support for instructional leadership actions. Originality/value: Key steps and components of an effective VMC highlighted in the current research offer practical guidance for future virtual mentor-coaches in conducting and implementing VMC within VPLCs.

Despite the growing focus of educational institutions on students' practical abilities beyond theoretical knowledge, the perception that students have of their competencies is crucial for their effective application in professional contexts. Accordingly, this paper reports a study of 435 university students attending ten universities in eight countries in the Americas (Chile, Colombia, Mexico), Asia (Pakistan and the Philippines), and Europe (Spain, Finland, and Serbia). The goal was to measure their perceptions of their achievement of complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. The intention was to identify how cultural, educational, and socioeconomic differences among countries account for the variances in the students' self-assessment of competencies, impacting their professional preparedness. The study focused on the competency of complex thinking, considering its critical importance in solving current environmental problems. The analysis employed the non-parametric Brown–Forsythe statistical test and Bonferroni correction, given the non-normality and heteroscedasticity of the data. It was found that (i) there is no statistically significant difference by gender; (ii) there are statistically significant differences in all types of thinking per country, geographical area (continent), and Human Development Index (HDI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student learning objectives (SLOs) have become an increasingly popular tool for teacher evaluations as an alternative to Value-added Models (VAMs). However, the use of SLOs faces two major challenges. First, the target setting is mostly subjective and arbitrary. Second, there is little evidence on the reliability and validity of the tool. In this paper, we proposed three data-based SLO target-setting models: split, banded, and class-wide models. The data-based approach ensures that the targets set for students are challenging yet realistic and achievable. Using data of 176 pre-kindergarten teachers and two cohorts of students from a large school district in Texas, we investigated the reliability and predictive validity of teachers' SLO scores. Results indicated that teachers' SLO scores had moderate to high consistency across different subtests, and moderate stability over time. Teachers' SLO scores were also demonstrated to be useful in predicting future students' achievement, which supported the predictive validity of the tool.

Campus administrators need to have a good understanding of strategies that work with diverse populations they serve. In this paper, the authors share a research-based intervention from a longitudinal randomized trial study funded by the Institute for Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. The intervention is Story Retelling and Higher Order Thinking for English Language and Literacy Acquisition (STELLA) which combines the following components: (a) integrated ESL strategies, (b) higher order leveled questions, (c) academic vocabulary in the content area of science which was explicitly and implicitly taught, (d) opportunities for students to practice language through retelling, and (e) training for the teachers on a biweekly basis.

The eComplexity instrument aims to measure the perception of achievement in the complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. To ensure the reliability of this instrument, validation processes like the one presented in this article are necessary. Methodologically, this study evaluates data from 1,037 university students in Mexico, confirming the statistical validity and reliability of the instrument. As a result, the demonstrated reliability of the eComplexity instrument as a tool for measuring perceived achievements in complex thinking provides a valuable resource for assessing the effectiveness of educational interventions. Consequently, this research contributes to a more informed approach to fostering critical thinking skills, benefiting both theoretical exploration and practical application in educational settings. The study employs the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate students’ self-perceptions of their performance in complex thinking and its sub-competencies, thus advancing the field of educational measurement. Academically, it enriches the discourse on the design and validation of instruments, offering a rigorous model for future efforts in measuring cognitive competencies. Practically, the study’s results inform educational practice by identifying systemic and scientific thinking as key to developing complex thinking skills. This knowledge enables educators to more effectively adapt teaching strategies and curricular designs, aiming to enhance students’ ability to navigate the complexities of the modern world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore the relationship between general education prerequisite courses, used for schools of business admission, and predicted grade point averages (PGPAs) with the Major Field Test in Business (MFT-B). The MFT-B is designed to assess the general business knowledge of students at the end of their programs. There is no known literature that explores the relationship of prerequisite courses or PGPA with the MFT-B. This study finds that second semester Freshman English 102 and Economics 222, and PGPA influence MFT-B scores.

This article summarizes the results from the first statewide study of two-way immersion (TWI) programs for English language learners. The survey was conducted electronically with 304 Texas bilingual/English as a Second Language directors in districts that serve English language learners. Data are reported for the following research question: What information can be identified about TWI programs in Texas, specifically: (a) number of districts reporting TWI programs, (b) program types, (c) grade levels served, (d) number of classrooms at each grade level, (e) languages of instruction, (f) distribution of native Spanish and native English speakers, (g) TWI program by regional educational service center, and (h) years of implementation? This article concludes with implications for further research related to TWI programs in Texas and the United States.