Writings

Published work:

Meier, N. & Cushman, K., (in press) Sherman Oaks Community Charter School: A Case Study. School Redesign Network, Stanford University.
An in-depth look at a progressive dual immersion charter school serving a predominantly low income Latino population in San Jose, California. The study examines various aspects of what makes this an effective “restructuring” school, from its professional development practices, governance, pedagogy to its work with family and community.

(2003) Eastside High School, School Redesign Network, Stanford University.
This is a case study of how a large failing comprehensive high school in a major urban area is attempting to restructure itself into small learning communities.
http://schoolredesign.net/srn/server.php?idx=697

(2001). "Peer writing response groups in a language minority classroom." Teaching & Learning: The Journal of Natural Inquiry & Reflective Practice, 16(1), 7-16.
An examination of the author’s classroom practice of using peer writing response groups in a bilingual fifth/sixth grade classroom. Along with the issue of how this strategy helps in improving writing arose questions of classroom culture and student empowerment.
Link to journal: http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/ehd/journal/fall2001.html

(1999). "A fabric of half-truths: A response to Keith Baker on structured English immersion." Phi Delta Kappan, 80(9).
Meier examines the research on bilingual education and English immersion in response to Baker’s claim that English immersion has been demonstrated to be the most effective method of teaching language minority students.

Unpublished manuscripts:

(2005) Decision making in schoolwide professional communities. Dissertation, Stanford University.
This dissertaition examines two schools known for their strong collaborative communities and record of shared decison making. This qualitative study examines the factors that facilitated or hindered effective decison making in each of these communites. It is based on a year long qualitative study of the two schools. (download pdf)

Kahng, J., Meier, N., Um, E., (2001) Proposal for the creation of small high schools. Stanford University.
In this paper the authors develop a plan for how a troubled school district could create new small high schools. Includes a literature review of the effectiveness of small schools. (download pdf)

Gove, A., Meier N., (2000) California charter schools: forcing competition and innovation in public schools. Stanford University.
In this paper the authors review the research on California's charter schools to investigate to what extent they live up to their mission of fostering competition and innovation in the public school system as a force for school improvement.(download pdf)