A longitudinal study of otitis media in young children, begun in 1981, aimed to provide information on the incidence and prevalence of otitis media in young children in the Newcastle (England) region and to follow their academic progress. Subjects selected for the study were kindergartners in five schools and represented an ethnically homogeneous…

Mastery learning research focuses on learner-oriented and instruction-based factors that relate the concepts of time as a variable and high student achievement as a constant. This research emphasis encompasses optimistic assumptions about the capability of students to learn if: (1) alterable variables are optimized, and (2)…

The purpose of this meeting, one of a series of family impact seminars was to explore definitions of quality in child care and the ways in which quality can be encouraged. The seminar was held in response to a number of child care bills under consideration by the 101st Congress that reopen the issue of federal regulation of child care. This…

The training of researchers in the educational technology field has continued in the traditional vein of the experimental paradigm. This document describes a workshop presented to balance that training and to prepare students to undertake research in a non-traditional way. The workshop aimed to acquaint students with non-causal naturalistic…

Nineteen papers concerning various aspects of distance education and distance education research are presented in this document. The papers are: (1) "Introduction, Celebrating Difference in Research in Distance Education" (Terry Evans); (2) "Discourse or Discord? A Dilemma of Distance Education" (Philip Juler); (3)…

Traditional psychological theories are designed, in large part, to explain the behavior of white males, viewing female behavior as deviant or deficient, or ignoring it altogether. While special undergraduate topics courses, such as those on the psychology of women, address this problem in part, many institutions cannot afford to offer them. In…

One of the most frequently used indicators of the success of American schools is the graduation rate. There is a need, however, to track categories of school completers other than traditional diploma recipients; school reforms and stricter graduation requirements may influence how people attain a secondary education. This report contains…

A review of current research on workplace literacy programs reveals few programs reporting rigorous evaluations. Assessments are often limited to the completion of questionnaires, surveys of program participants, and anecdotal reports of effectiveness. Occasionally, a standardized reading test provides an indication of learner gains. Only a few…

While the need for improved literacy in the work force is generally accepted, questions still remain as to what levels of literacy are required for different jobs and who will provide the necessary adult literacy training. To answer these questions, researchers must develop a database of information about literacy needs and deficiences. Developing…

A faculty evaluation study conducted at Memorial University of Newfoundland for the Committee on Faculty Evaluation is described. Evaluation criteria/methods and recent research findings regarding student ratings of faculty instruction are considered, along with the advantages and disadvantages of formative and summative evaluations. Formative…

After setting forth eight assumptions concerning the education of educational administrators, findings about the Leadership in Educational Administration Development (LEAD) program are discussed. The analysis is based on the first-year applications, telephone conversations with staff at a majority of the project sites, and additional material…

One of the changes advocated by the Regular Education Initiative (REI) is the placement of all students with disabilities in regular education classes. This paper analyzes this REI proposal and discusses four objections, with citations to relevant literature: (1) restriction of the continuum of services, which may result in students being put…

American migrant and seasonal agricultural workers are a population needing categorical assistance due to low income, difficult working and living conditions, and a mobile lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to identify, describe, and analyze federally funded migrant services. This study, based on interviews with program officials and…

This pamphlet provides suggestions for school administrators concerning how to best use and interpret educational research. Research and evaluation can provide educational administrators with information necessary to make and justify decisions about programs, testing, and teacher performance. Administrators must remember that: abstracts and…

This pamphlet describes the role of teachers in assessing the quality and utility of research. Research is the backbone of educational theory and practice, forming the basis of what is taught and how it is taught. It is important that teachers remember that: not all research is done well; abstracts and newspaper/magazine reports about research do…