Discusses the issues addressed in following articles of this issue of the journal, focusing on policy community, which educational research had too often ignored when making educational decisions. Insights from educational research are used to suggest what policy processes and reform initiatives should do rather than simple criticizing what policy…

Provides an overview of this special issue of "Educational Researcher" whose research articles critique the recommendations from the 1996 National Education Summit on education and the popular educational reform strategies. Articles address subjects such as charter schools, parental involvement, alternative certification, educational…