Suggestions for enhancing use of evaluation studies (i.e., state-level mental health programs) are presented. Steps for maximizing evaluation utilization include marketing, planning, and conducting the evaluation; developing/focusing policy questions; translating findings; and making people pay attention to the results. These are processes for…

The history of evaluation utilization in policy making and political features of program evaluation are discussed. A five-part continuum describes the evaluation process. Evaluation practice modifications contribute to real growth in evaluation use in congressional policy making as evaluation research improves the quality of information available…

Research findings of the past 25 years have formed a scientific knowledge base. New research suggests that teaching for conceptual understanding and higher order application requires sustained focus on fewer topics but in greater depth. (MLF)

This article focuses on the social formation of research by considering autobiography, biography, and institutions. The discussion covers the relation of U.S. corporate liberalism, Protestant theology, and Jewish identity, and the role of the university in the administration of the state. (TE)

A research-based positive evaluation methodology for professional development of teachers is presented, and its use in an Australian school is described. The principal is the evaluator and chair of an assessment committee that includes a peer nominated by the teacher, the teacher being evaluated, and the principal. (SLD)

Invitations to 90 family physicians in Alberta elicited 56 participants in HIV infection management instruction. Based on continuing education research, the program targeted physicians known to have HIV patients, combined large group and one-on-one situations, and provided preceptored clinical experience. (SK)

Discusses the marginalization of spelling instruction. Presents several classroom implications supported by research on the development of orthographic knowledge as reflected in children's spelling errors. Addresses the issues related to placement, assessment, word study, and writing. (RS)

Critically reviews a study commissioned by the Scottish Education Department (SED) on the transition to adulthood of young people with special educational needs. Although the research serves the political purposes of the SED, it contains sampling problems and unrepresentative case studies and fails to address cost effectiveness. (KS)

A survey of 250 colleges and universities gathered information on the use of market research concerning admitted applicants. Results indicated over half the institutions use market research and offer information about specific methodologies, budgetary support, and use of results. A content analysis of questionnaires used is also presented.…

This article proposes that a feasibility study should precede a major college fund-raising campaign. Issues to consider include what such a study can accomplish, what makes it credible, who should do it and when, how to determine who should be interviewed, time requirements, costs, consultant role, and expectations. (MSE)

This survey of 1,601 members of the American Association on Mental Retardation analyzes the organization's journals ("American Journal on Mental Retardation" and "Mental Retardation") in terms of readability, usefulness in job, preferred type of content (e.g., research reviews, direct service discussions, philosophical…

Five principles emerging from cognitive science research are as follows: (1) help students organize their knowledge with concept mapping; (2) build on what students already know; (3) facilitate information processing; (4) facilitate deep thinking; and (5) make thinking processes explicit. (SK)

Focuses on the staff development process and describes a project in which a group of teachers explored barriers to teachers' use of research-based practices when teaching reading comprehension. Ends with an invitation for other teachers to engage in a similar process and to communicate their stories. (MG)

This paper discusses the work of five scholars who sought to establish a literature about gifted African-American children--Horace Mann Bond, Lillian Proctor, A. Janet Terwilliger, Martin David Jenkins, and Viola Theman. The paper also discusses the social milieu in which the scholars worked and possible reasons for the neglect of their research.…

Discusses the importance of teachers and researchers learning to appreciate one another's professional roles to bridge the gap between research and practice. Information comes from meetings between teachers and researchers as part of a three-year study to discover how moral concerns permeate school life. (SM)