Abstract While many aspects of instructional planning, implementation, and assessment have changed in the last few decades, the literary canon taught in English classes across the United States, comprised of authors who are often White and male, has largely remained the same. This study builds on research that argues that such a canon does not support students’ intercultural and cross-cultural needs, especially as classrooms contain increasingly diverse student populations. The purpose of this...

Abstract Schools are under tremendous pressure to close achievement gaps and increase students' college and career readiness. Research has shown that students' interactions with rigorouus curriculum and instructional practices positively impact their postsecondary outcomes (e.g. Adelman, 2006; Oakes and Saunders, 2007). With an established standard of rigor already existing in many high schools in the form of Advanced Placement courses, a majority of high schools could increase the rigor of their...