The widespread shift to self-management has enhanced the importance of effective leadership within educational institutions and the parallel need for theory and research to establish what constitutes good practice. Rapid and multiple policy changes underscore the need to review the discipline. Opportunities and challenges are discussed. (57…

Explains the relevance of reading-comprehension research for classroom teachers, discussing how knowledge of the world and active engagement with ideas in the text influence comprehension and looking at how to develop both these capabilities. Four sections discuss the power of background knowledge, reading aloud and discussing literature with…

To equip young people to meet the challenges of the 21st century, educators must seek out the best understanding from current research on how humans learn before considering further school reform. A brain-friendly model of schooling would include smaller classes for young children, less formal instruction for adolescents, and learning integrated…

Presents a literary answer to the question of how literary theory informs educational practice. Suggests how professors in education, English, foreign language and library sciences might learn to listen to one another and combine their scholarly experiences to better inform the literary practices in all classrooms. Explores the topic of literary…

Discusses how early childhood teachers can provide a classroom environment that puts into practice theories related to emerging literacy. Describes holistic strategies used in one kindergarten that enhance literacy learning, including shared book experiences, huddle groups, language samples, self-directed learning time, student-developed…

The president of the University of Vermont discusses the relationship between higher education research and practice from an administrative viewpoint. She suggests that good campus decision making begins with a base of scholarly knowledge that is generated by higher education researchers and is ideally modeled by higher education leaders who…

Holistic educational research looks beyond test scores as a measure of student development and considers broader perspectives, such as quality of life and community interactions. Approaches to making research more understandable, accessible, and practical at a grassroots level include qualitative research, informal research, participatory research…

Training programs for principals are generally viewed to be inadequate. Various initiatives in Seattle (Washington) demonstrate that effective programs bridge the gap between theory and practice, use new kinds of delivery systems, incorporate field-based experience, and provide internships. The University of Washington's 4-day workshops give state…

A model designed to more accurately describe instructional processes in transitional bilingual classrooms had four dimensions: language content, language of instruction, communication mode, and activity structures. Testing of the observational tool in four fifth-grade transitional bilingual classrooms found high interrater reliability, a need for…

Offers an individual account from each of the three authors (a practicum (student) teacher, his supervising school teacher, and his university professor) describing their experience and their interactions. Shows how they explored the complex interplay between theory and practice in the university and the school classroom, clarifying what matters…

This article explores factors leading to development of antisocial behavior in children and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. Best practices in screening and early intervention for at-risk and antisocial children are identified. Recommendations are offered based on research-based practices, tools, and…

Describes procedures used to model and integrate literacy strategies across several strands of a new Australian graduate program for preservice secondary school teachers, highlighting the literacy demands the program placed on English majors, discussing how a sample of English majors critically reviewed theory and practice during the course, and…

Presents a history of teacher education in the United States, highlighting four dilemmas that are crucial to the task of rethinking and deepening the reform agenda: new knowledge in the arts and sciences that has stimulated disputes, the content-pedagogy problem, issues regarding uniformity and diversity, and the issue of purpose in education. (SM)

Defines project-based learning as an instructional method that emphasizes learning activities that are student-centered, interdisciplinary, and integrated with real-world issues and practices. Discusses the use of technology; the need for a strong assessment system; considers rubric assessment and performance-based assessment; and includes an…

This article focuses on the link between changes in teachers' conceptual knowledge and student performance. It shows how teachers used the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills assessment system and describes significant change in teacher practice and student performance on foundational skills in early literacy. (Contains references.)…