A recent article in this journal by John Smith and Joseph Blase criticized empiricism as a theoretical base for educational leadership, suggested hermeneutics as a replacement host theory, and advanced some theories of leadership. What Blase and Smith say is consistent with both hermeneutics and empiricism. However, their hermeneutical theories…

Suggests a conceptual scheme that helps distinguish among three levels of questions related to three different kinds of problems in curriculum research and practice; and offers illustrative questions in nine categories and three broad curriculum domains. Workers at each level are dependent upon workers at the other levels. Scholars should probably…

Summarizes a study that describes, interprets, and appraises the "ecological" character of two Waldorf schools to shed light on Waldorf education and education in general. Focuses on Waldorf educators' general intentions, what happens in classrooms, the educational significance of Waldorf theories and practices, and implications for…

During the past 50 years, educational planning has evolved into a recognized, somewhat esoteric field of study. The four major planning models are rationalism (comprehensive and bounded), incrementalism (or muddling through), mixed or environmental scanning, and goal-free (developmental) planning. Sound educational planning is people-oriented and…

Discusses the development of academic programs in technical communication and examines how entrance requirements to master's programs have implications for technical communication as a profession. (SR)

Many critical educators claim that knowledge construction and production in education are tools for dominating and domesticating people, not enlightening or emancipating them. This article analyzes the nature of knowledge and the subject/object relationship in knowledge production. The contradictory functions of knowledge production are best…

Describes one teacher-author's classroom use of interview samples, editors' comments, and other materials from his own article-then-in-progress for the "New York Times Magazine." Describes how students, who were creating their own in-depth magazine articles, could see principles and techniques discussed in class applied on a professional level.…

Conducted in-depth interviews with 17 parents (9 fathers and 8 mothers) who had abducted their own children. Reported reasons for abduction included unsatisfactory contact with court-related professionals, revenge, and fear for the child's safety. Some abductors, after the abduction had been resolved, had increased contact with their children.…

Considers the trials and tribulations of academics as they go about the daily "performances" that constitute their professional lives. Describes the various ways academics are required to perform for different audiences, spectators, and critics. (HB)

Four types of program failure are (1) termination before implementing a planned program; (2) insufficient enrollment; (3) failure to meet participant expectations; and (4) failure to achieve objectives. Speculations about probable causes of failure can lead to principles for improving practice and to theories about program failure. (SK)

Explores trends in critical discourse analysis, its domain and definitions, and its applications, including theoretical foundations and sources, critical discourse analysis in practice, and problems and developments. A 16-citation annotated and a 44-citation unannotated bibliography are included. (CB)

Colleges and educational administration departments can bridge the gap between professors and practitioners by employing professors with administrative experience, establishing clinically based sabbaticals, developing positions for clinical professors, and initiating publications focused on clinical issues. Also, practitioners should be involved…

The "superleader" principal teaches, coaches, encourages, and helps others become effective in their work. Research-based definitions of the "successful" principal should be used in the administrator selection process. New techniques such as written materials screening, communication skills assessment, written examinations, simulations,…

Examines how training practice diverges from the prevailing Systematic Training Model, in terms of a rehabilitative and a radical critique. Outlines an alternative transitional model while suggesting criteria with which to assess any updated model. (SK)

Describes one university's undergraduate human services program, designed to integrate theory and practice as foundation for training human service workers. Focuses on course in cultural diversity taught from multicultural perspective. Also describes program's attempt to weave multicultural perspective throughout the curriculum. (Author/NB)