Examines unexpected challenges based on differing understandings and values about what counts as research in teacher-researcher collaboration. Focuses on two challenges: defining and legitimating nonquantitative research; and intermingling roles and responsibilities of "researcher" and "teacher." Shows how key material…

Discusses the positive effects of the ATLAS (Authentic Teaching, Learning, and Assessment of all Students) seminars on helping partner organizations understand certain shared underpinnings in their work on curriculum, reviewing a series of articles on the subject and noting that the partners share the belief that democratic dialog fosters the…

Presents an accessible overview of modernism, postmodernism, and post-structuralism. Describes their characteristics, identifies how conceptions of literacy have changed as an outcome of post-structural and postmodern influences, and describes what literacy instruction looks like within each movement. (SR)

Explores the applied research in which object-related play skills of preschool children with developmental concerns are enhanced through intervention strategies. Guidelines for teaching toy play skills are offered as are strategies to promote generalization and maintenance of those skills. (DB)

Provides an overview of play in occupational therapy. Examines how occupational therapists' view of play has evolved and offers a model of play as occupation to illustrate how children's ability to play is influenced by developmental disabilities. Also outlines occupational-therapy assessment and treatment practices that use play and identifies…

Discusses the split between theory and practice in education and the extent to which teachers engaging in research into their own practice can bridge the gap and help improve schools and research. The paper presents two case studies of successful collaborative, school-based action research and offers a critical reflection of learning from the case…

Three highly acclaimed teachers from Virginia elementary schools reflect on how they have put research into practice to the benefit of their students, discussing their experiences in teaching reading and presenting information on how their school encourages the type of professional-development activities that provide for the careful examination of…

Puts the National Research Council's (1998) technical report, "Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children," into a quick reference, summary format so that it will be more accessible to teachers. The summary highlights information on the development of reading and factors that relate to reading outcomes and preparation and…

Documents and explains three manifestations of the split between theory and practice in reconceptualized curriculum studies. Evaluates this split against the educational theory of John Dewey, considers the obligations of professional schools and land-grant universities, and suggests implications of the curriculum theory-practice split for…

Child psychology and early-childhood education are related, as the former includes three distinct aspects: scientific, popular, and common-sense psychology of parents and teachers. No clear relationship exists between current theory and those of parents and teachers; however, teachers' and parents' views do influence their behavior toward…

Reflects on the motivating conditions, goals, works, and aspirations of the Juniper Gardens Children's Project (JGCP). The JGCP was established in 1964 to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty of a 10-square-mile urban area in Kansas City, Kansas, by improving developmental and educational experiences within the community. (CR)

A review of the literature identified 43 studies that provided instruction in money skills for individuals with mental retardation. Most studies taught money skills in the context of making purchases or classroom instruction on money computation. Guidelines are offered for research and practice. (DB)

Reports results of a content analysis of 61 narratives of classroom practice that appeared in "Language Arts," volumes 69-74 (1992-1997), as a way of illustrating that narratives that include the twists and turns of practice are more powerful and persuasive than narratives that report only success. (SR)

Traces historical, linguistic, and educational contexts for the Oakland School Board resolution. Suggests the resolution is a sensible extension of the linguistic and cultural history of the African-American community, a reasonable implementation of research and theory, and an intrinsic desire of parents to have their children's teachers acquire…

Ten imperatives for planning in American higher education address educational mission, leadership development, organizational and technological problems, governance, policy planning, diversity, knowledge utilization, definition of options, and communication in plain English (instead of educationese). (DB)