The goals of greater involvement of teachers in their own staff development mirror those of quality adult education. If the further development of teachers as self-directed learners is facilitated by giving them both the time to make the transition to such methods and a chance to plan and implement professional-development projects, both teachers…

Presents a format for assisting educators in translating educational research into classroom interventions. Steps include identifying the problem, seeking a variety of sources, reviewing information, selecting primary sources, distinguishing between theory and opinion, reviewing the parts of a research article, and translating the research into…

Describes the Japanese approach to educational improvement called "research lessons," actual classroom lessons taught to a teacher's own students but observed by other teachers, recorded, and discussed. Outlines the impact of research lessons as examples of good educational practice that can be disseminated throughout Japan. (SLD)

Design characteristics and instructional practices in exemplary technology education accord with cognitive science perspectives on learning, knowledge, and instruction, e.g., collaborative learning, socially distributed expertise, student as designer, and project-based learning. Teachers should examine the degree to which cognitive science theory…

This article considers the connection between academic research in the area of sensory disabilities and the political process of change. In particular, the focus of the article concerns the "thinking" of people who "do" research and those who "do" legislation. A list of suggestions for enhancing political change is included. (Contains six…

Discusses a shift in administration and decision making at colleges and universities since 1975 towards substantially more use of data and analysis to respond to such constituencies as federal agencies, state legislators, students, and donors. Urges the use of research to respond to new policy questions, such as appropriate rates of withdrawal…

Discusses the "think tank" programs of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education that enable college administrators to become more reflective about their practice and to conduct research that is rooted in practice. The think tanks are day-long seminars for chief student affairs officers, chief academic officers, associate academic…

Explores the relationship of social science research to social policy making, stressing that social science models and research findings are largely irrelevant to the actual concerns of policymakers and noting the ways in which ideological factors mediate the process. (SLD)

It is argued that, although thousands of evaluations have been conducted of social interventions, little has been done to cumulate those results to guide intervention architects. Building social intervention theory and meta analyses are suggested as ways to unify this knowledge and make it useful. (SLD)

Comparison of countries with strong industrial achievement (Germany, Japan, United States) and weaker growth (England, France, Russia) reveals a strong association between economic development and policies supporting industry-education collaboration. Positive and inhibiting mechanisms for industrial innovation were identified. (SK)

For learning to change, teaching, teacher education, and educational policies must change. Reform must take into account teacher knowledge and beliefs about learning and teaching. Educational researchers should employ qualitative methods. (SK)

This article identifies major steps forward in gifted education (such as the Marland Report and Renzulli's Enrichment Triad Model) and external and internal impediments such as the anti-tracking movement and claims of differentiated instruction in the regular classroom. Proposals for gifted education in the new millennium include committing to…

In order to assist trainees in preparing for brief family therapy interventions, the following domains are discussed: knowledge of brief treatment research, clear decision-rules for problem assessment and task intervention, skill-building in service delivery, and practice in adapting to idiosyncratic responses from the client family system. (JPS)

Provides a positive reaction to Trawick-Smith's article (PS 528 613) and suggests practitioners use insight gained in providing appropriate modeling of various behaviors along the developmental continuum. Suggests that further areas of investigation include research in a more diverse population and ideas for practitioners to use to promote social…

This article outlines five achievements of the last 20 years that have had or have the potential for a significant effect on the communication of individuals with autism, including greater understanding of the development of language and nonverbal communication in individuals with autism. Suggestions for future research are offered. (Contains…