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Given the devastation caused by disasters and mass violence, it is critical that intervention policy be based on the most updated research findings. However, to date, no evidence-based consensus has been reached supporting a clear set of recommendations for intervention during the immediate and the mid-term post mass trauma phases. Because it is unlikely that there will be evidence in the near or mid-term future from clinical trials that cover the diversity of disaster and mass violence circumstances, we assembled a worldwide panel of experts on the study and treatment of those exposed to disaster and mass violence to extrapolate from related fields of research, and to gain consensus on intervention principles. We identified five empirically supported intervention principles that should be used to guide and inform intervention and prevention efforts at the early to mid-term stages. These are promoting: 1) a sense of safety, 2) calming, 3) a sense of self- and community efficacy, 4) connectedness, and 5) hope.

Take 50 university education students who may not be quite sure they want to be teachers. Pour them all into a charter bus, and drive them five hours to a remote Texas Hill Country location. Mix in equal parts of enthusiasm and dedication, well-planned interdisciplinary curriculum, and face-to-face interaction with middle level students. Let simmer in the October sun by the Llano River. Watch while the mixture swells with confidence, commitment, and community. Like many great recipes, the perfect mix of ingredients was discovered as much by accident, as by conscious intent when the middle level program at Texas Tech University's (TTU) College of Education and the outdoor school at Texas Tech's Junction, Texas, campus partnered to provide an intensive three-day introduction to field experiences for teacher candidates. The partnership was designed to begin the preparation of high-quality middle level teachers through a developmentally appropriate field-based experience. This article describes the results of that experience, which exceeded the expectations of everyone connected with the project.

Ensuring effective mental health and psychosocial support is crucial following exposure to a potentially traumatic event and can have long‐term consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Psychological first aid (PFA) has become a widespread intervention of choice following exposure to conflict or disaster; however, its impact is unknown. This systematic review assessed PFA efficacy in improving the mental health and psychosocial well‐being of individuals exposed to potentially traumatic events. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, and EMBASE for peer reviewed studies evaluating programmatic outcomes of PFA, or an adapted intervention, published in English before March 9, 2021. Studies evaluating training outcomes or program feasibility were excluded. The primary outcomes were reported measures of participant mental health and psychosocial well‐being, with narrative results presented for each. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was applied. Of 9,048 potentially eligible citations, 12 studies with a total of 1,437 participants met the inclusion criteria. Only one study was a randomized controlled trial. The findings from all studies suggest a positive impact of PFA, with most reporting reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and distress, as well as improved ratings of mood, the experience of safety, connectedness, and a sense of control, among youth and adults. Risk of bias was generally high. Inconsistent intervention components, insufficient evaluation methodologies, and a high risk of bias within the reviewed studies present challenges in assessing PFA efficacy, and an imbalance between popular support for PFA and scant evidence of outcome data exists. Further research is needed to justify the proliferation of PFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the gap that exists between literacy educators' knowledge of content disciplines and the literacy strategies often suggested for use in content classrooms. The authors worked with disciplinary experts in mathematics and geography to understand the differences that exist in their conceptions of the disciplines and what it means to be literate in them. Study results were categorized into themes, which include "major understandings of the field," "literacy in the discipline," and "practice of the discipline." Further subcategories include texts used in the discipline; the types of strategies used to become literate in the discipline, and the types of questions addressed within the discipline. Implications for teachers and teacher candidates are also addressed.

A wealth of research and experience after 9/11 has led to the development of evidence-based and evidence-informed guidelines and strategies to support the design and implementation of public mental health programs after terrorism and disaster. This article reviews advances that have been made in a variety of areas, including development of improved metrics and methodologies for conducting needs assessment, screening, surveillance, and program evaluation; clarification of risk and resilience factors as these relate to varying outcome trajectories for survivors and inform interventions; development and implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed early, midterm, and late interventions for children, adults, and families; adaptation of interventions for cultural, ethnic, and minority groups; improvement in strategies to expand access to postdisaster mental health services; and enhancement of training methods and platforms for workforce development among psychologists, paraprofessionals, and other disaster responders. Continuing improvement of psychologists' national capacity to respond to catastrophic events will require more systematic research to strengthen the evidence base for postdisaster screening and interventions and effective methods and platforms for training. Policy decisions are clearly needed that enhance federal funding to increase availability and access to services, especially for longer term care. Traumatic bereavement represents a critical area for future research, as much needs to be done to clarify issues related to reactions and adaptation to a traumatic death.

Teacher leadership is difficult because teachers often lack encouragement and opportunities to implement ideas that deliberately and strategically interact with and tap power structures in schools. In this study, a book club of university faculty and middle school teachers provided teacher leaders with a template for change around concepts explained in "The Tipping Point" (Gladwell, 2000). Armed with "sticky" ideas, the teachers overcame internal and external organizational mindsets and obstacles that inhibited teacher leaders to get their ideas implemented within their schools. A moral imperative to help others fueled those ideas that succeeded. One idea "tipped" throughout the university learning community itself. (Contains 1 table.)

This article presents an excerpt from the most recent ACEI publication. It describes the characteristics of effective middle level teachers and the characteristics of effective content-area instruction which makes use of reading and writing as often as possible. The use of literacy processes in content disciplines can lead to improved understanding and retention of content area knowledge.