Responding to Blumberg's and Bolin's articles, this article claims that a viable scholarship of practice for supervision has already emerged. The key to present-day theorizing is figuring out how the reflection-in-action process unfolds and how to inform it. Recent research suggests that the heart of professional practice is knowing in action.…

Responding to Arthur Blumberg's article, this article claims that Blumberg misses the opportunity to ground his argument in an already existing tradition of interpretive or hermeneutic research in supervision. The hermeneutic perspective studies human intentionality and seeks shared understanding as a goal. Includes eight references. (MLH)

There are three approaches to educational supervision: the applied science approach, the interpretive-practical approach, and the critical/emancipatory approach. From a Taoist perspective, conflicting supervision theories or proposals should be welcomed, not resisted. By accepting a diversity of views to inform practice, a balance or centeredness…

Argues for the abolition of teacher supervision, drawing on research into teaching realities and complexities; research about teachers' feelings, attitudes, and experiences regarding supervision; and studies on the failure of supervision to effect any improvements in teaching once teachers have been tenured. Supervision as currently practiced will…

Arthur Blumberg's article represents fighting epistemological rhetoric and fails to consider the changing educational context over the past three years. Although Blumberg justifiably decries "scientism," or the unmindful aping of natural science paradigms, his failure to question what science is and what constitutes knowledge gives his…

The paucity of historical research in supervision can be attributed to marginalization of historical inquiry, lack of clarity about supervisory duties, a positivistic model of social research, and unfavorable images of supervision and supervisors. Research needs include accounts of early 20th-century practicing supervisors, educational biographies…

Based on Schon's study of the nature of practical knowledge and his rejection of "technical rationality," this article examines the metaphorical language that teachers use when talking about their work. Teachers' definitions of curriculum in relation to their practice is a significant phenomenon for curriculum theorists to address.…

Although educational theories currently assert a hearty multiculturalism, the gap between theory and instructional practice may never have been greater. This article examines what school practices are being undertaken in the name of multicultural education, teachers' efforts to integrate multiculturalism into the regular curriculum, and teacher…

Administrators and teachers should rethink their role as public intellectuals and reject the cult of knowledge, expertise, and disembodied rationality permeating curriculum theory discourse. Educators must redefine educational leadership through forms of social criticism, civic courage, and public engagement allowing them to oppose the forces…

Professors who study and teach supervision should realize that they are involved in creating a scholarship of practice, not a science or applied science. Pretending to "do science" maligns education's legitimacy and assigns its professors to second-class status. The practice approach has more potential for creating a true community of…

Suggests a conceptual scheme that helps distinguish among three levels of questions related to three different kinds of problems in curriculum research and practice; and offers illustrative questions in nine categories and three broad curriculum domains. Workers at each level are dependent upon workers at the other levels. Scholars should probably…

Summarizes a study that describes, interprets, and appraises the "ecological" character of two Waldorf schools to shed light on Waldorf education and education in general. Focuses on Waldorf educators' general intentions, what happens in classrooms, the educational significance of Waldorf theories and practices, and implications for…

The process of education is intended to free the mind from certainty, to liberate children and adolescents so that they can consider options not entertained by their parents. After distinguishing between the intended and the operational curricula, this article examines five desirable features of intended curricula. Includes 14 references. (MLH)

Documents the emergence of interdisciplinary curriculum organization patterns as viable alternatives to the subject-centered curriculum field in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Early 20th-century approaches to the elementary curriculum included the project method, the experience curriculum, and the activity movement.…

Responding to Arthur Blunmberg's critique of Bolin's article, the author supports grounding supervision in practice and using qualitative research methods. However, the status of teaching is devaluation of children in our society. Such values perpetuate the low status of teacher supervision. (MLH)