Describes the composition and operation of the New American Schools Development Corporation (NASDC). The NASDC will design new high-performance learning environments for U.S. children. The seven design teams are to unveil new high-performance schools after two to three years, presumably by marketing designs. (SLD)

Comparison of two studies in the United Kingdom and Switzerland regarding the efficacy of vocational education research and development highlights the importance of more rigorously establishing what happens to research results. Steps must be taken to ensure that such projects have a positive impact on practice and justify their costs. (SK)

Urges that research in elementary music education focus on discovering better ways of teaching and learning music and that findings be incorporated into the curriculum. Suggests questions for research, including when should abstractions be taught? what aspects of singing can be taught? and do all children listen similarly? Recommends replication…

A critical approach to the application of research by developmental psychologists is proposed, using a concept of culture derived from agricultural metaphors in the English language. The approach is illustrated in a study of afterschool activities for California children. (SLD)

Reports results of a 1991 national survey of environmental scanning practices at two-year institutions. Examines sophistication of scanning efforts; personnel involved; and methods of collecting, compiling, interpreting, communicating, and using scan information. Finds scanning practices in use at 41% of the 601 responding institutions. (PAA)

Suggests that conceptual models may bridge the gap between educational researchers and teachers. Discusses "models" in terms of explanatory theories, teachers' understanding of students, and students' understanding of mathematics. Considers Piaget's concept of accommodation and scheme theory. Argues that students must operate deliberately and…

Contends that there is a growing trend in moral philosophy to return to the use of examples from everyday life to analyze moral virtue and character traits. Recommends the use of vignettes from well-known literature and actual contemporary events to illustrate moral dilemmas and ethical choices. (CFR)

Reviews noteworthy preliminary results from four current IEA research projects on science and mathematics education and achievement, classroom environment, and written composition. Summarizes the achievements of the IEA with regard to research instruments, research findings, policy impact, and the infrastructure of educational research. (SV)

Offers a six-step campaign to improve education by applying research findings to practice. The steps are: (1) target important visible problems; (2) build a powerful, dedicated coalition with a prominent, credible leader; (3) staff the campaign; (4) assemble the right information; (5) launch the campaign; and (6) implement solutions. (DB)

Reviews Tennessee's Project Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) and puts the results in the context of other nonexperimental evidence about class size. Nonexperimental evidence does not support any achievement gains attributable to class-size reduction, and empirical evidence from STAR has design and implementation flaws that cast doubt on…

Reflects on the motivating conditions, goals, works, and aspirations of the Juniper Gardens Children's Project (JGCP). The JGCP was established in 1964 to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty of a 10-square-mile urban area in Kansas City, Kansas, by improving developmental and educational experiences within the community. (CR)

Ten imperatives for planning in American higher education address educational mission, leadership development, organizational and technological problems, governance, policy planning, diversity, knowledge utilization, definition of options, and communication in plain English (instead of educationese). (DB)

Presents a ranking of the top United States universities in their quest for intellectual property, commercial partners, and profits. Bases rankings on a consideration of patent numbers, patent quality, and licensing revenues. (WRM)

Discusses why the proven-effective reading instruction method (phonics instruction alongside an ample emphasis on meaning and connected reading) is not adopted by classroom teachers and compares today's situation with that of 30 years ago as recounted by Jeanne Chall in "Learning to Read: The Great Debate" (1967). (CR)

Focuses on different ways participants in a research project may understand the research and use it themselves by describing how 20 adult students and 14 community members, participants in a recent ethnographic study of adult literacy in England, responded to the invitation to collaborate with researchers in interpreting interview data. (SLD)