Two decades after two U.S. and UK studies jump-started the school-effectiveness research movement, the American Educational Research Association invited the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement to present a symposium on international developments. The six papers herein critique and assess the movement's contributions.…

Presents a simple framework for (1) demonstrating how households determine schooling investments through choice and voice; and (2) considering effects of decentralization on household behaviors, given information problems. Some aspects of decentralization may increase efficiency; others may be neutral or decrease efficiency. Further research is…

This article discusses the successes of behavior analysts in affecting challenging behaviors in persons with developmental disabilities. Three future issues are then addressed: the development of challenging behaviors, the role of rule-governance in challenging behavior, and the behavior of persons who directly apply functional assessment and…

Important work of Daniel Goleman, Peter Salovey and John Mayer on emotional intelligence (EI) is discussed to illustrate recent theorizing on EI. The article discusses conceptual and measurement problems that presently challenge the usefulness of the EI construct and urges further research. (Author/CR)

More teachers are conducting research that benefits both administrators and students. Well-trained teacher-researchers can turn their questions into researchable problems, collect and analyze data, and use findings to create knowledge and "informed action." Teacher-research is notable for savoring the particular, rather than reaching for…

Discusses the need to develop the concept of user-based relevance for the benefit of users and for the meaningful development of future research in information retrieval. Characteristics of users' criteria of relevance are examined; and research methodology models are considered, including naturalistic inquiry versus scientific, or rationalistic,…

Critically examines three propositions of Harris' group socialization theory (1995, 1998) related to parents' long-term effects on children's psychological characteristics, peer groups' influences, and the nature of dyadic relationships. Maintains that available evidence is more consistent with a model of multiple socialization agents. Proposes a…

Maintains that Montessori education must regain its dynamism by recognizing barriers that separate Montessori from mainstream educational thinking and entering into meaningful dialog with other educators. Suggests ways to improve understanding of Montessori's basic principles and practices and their current relevance, including defining core…

Explains that educational research in social studies must identify the practices contributing to children's well-being. Argues that research in social studies should be conducted within real school settings and must focus on the consequences of educational practice for children's development. (CMK)

Presents an overview of time study research in school library media centers that attempts to categorize the tasks performed by school library media specialists and the time devoted to them. Suggests implications for preservice and continuing education, salaries, and the need for future time studies. (Author/LRW)

Offers a typology of emergent literacy skills, reviews research relating emergent literacy to reading, and reviews evidence linking emergent literacy environments and development of emergent literacy skills. Proposes that emergent literacy consists of inside-out skills and outside-in skills that are influential at different times during reading…

Reviews the use of chat reference services in libraries and analyzes current trends. Highlights include a survey of libraries providing chat reference; software used; the move toward digital reference; institutional issues; user needs; staff needs; technology problems; and questions for further research. (LRW)

Calls for better research on how information technologies alter graduate education. Proposes questions: (1) "Are our graduate programs preparing students for new media literacies?"; (2) "How can information technology tools facilitate research and writing processes?"; (3) "What training do students need?"; (4)…

This keynote address reviews previous efforts at developing a research policy agenda for child abuse and neglect, reviews medical research directions in child sexual abuse, suggests the author's views of potential research areas, and suggests a policy infrastructure to further implementation of the conference's proposals. (DB)

This article reviews current research that has located disease genes causing hearing impairments, discovered the ability of sensory cells of the inner ear to regenerate, developed vaccines to prevent otitis media, developed programmable hearing aids, improved cochlear implants, and demonstrated the positive effects of physical therapy with balance…