The revolution in hard sciences is explored, from the Cartesian-Newtonian worldview to the Heisenbergian universe, and consideration is given to whether the conventional, Cartesian model is a serviceable one for research in the social/applied sciences. Five axioms comprising the existing paradigm of logical positivism are outlined (reality,…

This report examines federal, state, and local databases containing information on migrant workers and their children, identifies their common characteristics, and assesses their potential utility to inform educational policy analysis. General criteria used to evaluate each database's strengths and weaknesses include standardization, reliability,…

In 1989, a study was conducted of the transfer rates achieved by the University of Minnesota's General College (GC) students. In order to collect a body of comparative statistics, a literature review was conducted on the accuracy of transfer rate calculations, national data on transfer rates, variables believed to affect transfer, and indicators…

This account of efforts to reconstruct educational research in China, guided by Marxist principles and reflective of a national policy of building a "socialist spiritual civilization," presents the major requirements of that endeavor. Educational sciences are to be guided by four understandings: correct theories; realistic policies;…

The purpose of the California High School Performance Reports is to provide a means for the public to judge a school's progress towards: (1) implementing the educational reforms outlined in California State Legislature Senate Bill 813; (2) upgrading the quality of its instructional program; and (3) improving student achievement. This paper…

The field of intercultural communication study may be best explored by analyzing sojourners, individuals who leave their homes and travel abroad to learn as students, workers, or occupational trainees. A review of the early research reveals that the similarities of well-traveled sojourners' communication behavior and general outlook is greater…

A longitudinal study of political attitudes and behavior of high school students reveals varying results when two different methods of data analysis are applied. A sample of 293 students was questioned (during their sophomore year in 1974 and again in 1976 when they were seniors) about political orientation, number of social studies classes taken,…

A review of the journal literature on three instructional strategies (lecture, the small group, and the discussion method) reveals that research concerning teacher training in these strategies is extremely limited. (Journals were chosen as offering the most accessible research in this area). Although there is much anecdotal information on how to…

In addressing selected aspects of the language arts from the context of an integrative language paradigm, this paper focuses on the results of three studies recently completed in Manitoba, which help to shed some light on three modes of expression--dictation, independent writing, and retelling--in the primary grades. The first part of the paper…

Two reviews of NIE's study of compensatory education are provided in this document. The conclusions of the first reviewer (House) are that: (1) the study is valid because it meets the standards for the evaluation of a public program; and (2) the compensatory programs, especially Title I, are very good. Other conclusions are that the funds'…

This study is about the impact on students and their families when students used computers in a "summer camp" setting and when computers were introduced into the homes of students who normally could not afford to buy them. The computer camp project involved minority group students 8 to 10 years of age, in 2-hour sessions, 5 days a week…

This paper summarizes the components of effective parenting for which substantial empirical support is available and discusses the problems inherent in attempts to determine the characteristics of effective parents in order to amend the process of socialization through the modification of parent styles. The aspects of effective parenting discussed…

Educational program evalaution is subject to many difficulties. Problems with evaluation include such conceptual problems as: (1) understanding of decisions to be made; (2) adequate definition; (3) consensus on values and criteria; (4) coordination among administrative levels; and (5) use of an appropriate evaluation model. Technical problems…

To evaluate the accuracy of the 1970 census' occupational classification system, a comparison was made between that year's responses to census questions and the replies by the same population group to the 1972 Postcensal Manpower Survey (PMS). Each of these questionnaires relied on a different methodology; in the PMS the respondent classified…

The difficulties involved in putting reading theory into practice are summarized in this report, which provides examples of the fragmentation of research by many theoretical models that inhibits their practical application. Throughout the discussion, references and evaluative comments are made concerning the papers that were presented at the…