Background/Context: At a time when educational research is recognized as capable of improving teaching and learning, it is under attack for falling short of this promise. Part of the solution lies in improving the preparation of educational researchers. Toward this goal, the UW-Madison School of Education (SOE) participated with the Spencer…

The author examines characteristics of effective teachers of gifted students in the United States by reviewing research on topics of mentorship, trait theory, behaviorism, creativity, change agents, and leadership; cites accepted teacher competencies; describes a model teacher education program; and notes federal, state, and local efforts to…

Measuring change when true experimental conditions do not exist is a difficult process. This article reviews the artifacts of change measurement in evaluations and quasi-experimental designs, delineates considerations in choosing a model to measure change under nonideal conditions, and suggests ways to organize models to facilitate selection.…

A California school district used the Hunter teaching model for a study to measure the effect of the model on teachers and students in two schools over a four-year period. Evaluation shows that student achievement and teacher behavior improved during the first three years then dropped during the fourth. (MD)

Discusses some benefits and problems of the North Carolina teacher preparation program, "Quality Assurance," which is a comprehensive reform program placing strong emphasis on public school participation during a six year teacher education process. (SD)

Part of a special issue on organizational research utilization, this article analyzes two National Institute of Education programs--the Research and Development Utilization Program and the Experimental Schools Program--and finds that a key reason for nonutilization of research is the "policy vacuum" in which research is conducted.…

Presents a historical view of university laboratory schools. Discusses the changing functions of the schools since their nineteenth-century inception. Recalls that initially they provided teaching practice, while today observation, demonstration, and experimentation are paramount. Underscores the need to emphasize laboratory schools' value to…

Reports on research modeled after the studies of the National Assessment of Educational Progress which sought to acquire data on student perceptions about science programs. Indicates that student attitudes are not as negative in exemplary schools as they are in randomly chosen schools. (RT)

Describes field test findings of a project funded by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium and the Rockefeller Family Fund to demonstrate that microcomputers and home videodisc players can deliver instruction to students. Basic research questions and field testing procedures for a high school economics course are provided. (MBR)

This paper reviews issues related to transition services to meet the postsecondary needs of individuals with disabilities. It focuses on follow-up and outcome studies, identification and analysis of best practices in transition, policy research, and analyses of applications for federally funded model demonstration projects. (JDD)

After describing inadequacies of current U.S. Department of Education funding strategies in identifying and sharing the best of research and development, this article outlines an alternative vision centered on using evaluation to guide replication. How to overcome constraints in implementing this vision for federal education leadership is…

This special journal issue contains the proceedings of the Workshop Exploring Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methodologies in Education, held July 21-23, 1976, in Monterey, California. An introductory overview comments on the epistemological nature of the quantitative and the qualitative approaches to educational research and compares several…

To facilitate the international exchange of educational information contained in scholarly journals, and to test the operational tools of the EUDISED network of national agencies specializing in the electronic data processing of educational information, abstracts of 300 articles from education sciences periodicals published in 1975 were compiled…

As part of the Chapter 1 program, the U.S. Department of Education conducts research activities and uses nominations from a variety of sources to identify promising practices and document their success. The department disseminates this information through its award process in the Chapter 1 School Recognition Program. (SLD)

The National Diffusion Network is a mechanism for sharing information and resources among education service providers. Three interactive components serve as a linkage in this network: (1) demonstrator-developers, (2) state facilitators, and (3) departments of education. (JN)