Reflections on the future of anthropology and education in this special section call for: (1) more theorizing about culture; (2) extending the "field" of fieldwork; (3) connecting work with broader topics in anthropology; (4) extending studies beyond compulsory education; and (5) looking at communicative and cultural development. (SLD)

Countless good ideas, research, and reforms (silver bullets) have yielded only modest improvement, suggesting problems of research (dogma, design, duration, and domain) and problems of distribution--expanded teacher responsibility. This article recommends revamping teacher education, remediating or firing incompetent teachers, and reducing class…

Asserts that the central problem of the analysis by M. Wang, G. Haertel, and H. Walberg is that they tend to view the teacher, at least implicitly, as the compliant beneficiary of the knowledge of the educational researcher. Any knowledge base that aims to affect classroom practice should take into account and respect the teacher's world.…

Asserts that because M. Wang, G. Haertel, and H. Walberg never clarify the contours of their "knowledge base for school learning," it is difficult to know what their broad-based comparison of research studies has really yielded. Explores dilemmas posed by the methodology of the study. (SLD)

Discusses challenges related to educational theory and practice, focusing on arenas for theoretical development (unifying the cognitive and the social, learning, the brain, transfer, reconceptualizing the nature versus nurture discussion, and social systems); theory and applications in synergy; and arenas for practical development (curriculum,…

Case studies designed by the National Institute for Science Education reveal various dilemmas and decision points faced by professional developers. Planners must decide whether to focus on philosophical or pragmatic issues; aim at a broad or narrow audience; and engage teachers in developing curriculum or in adopting existing curricula. (MLH)

This article reviews recent developments in auditory processing research and considers the role of the speech-language pathologist in evaluating and treating children with suspected auditory processing problems. Particular attention is given to clinical criteria, including characteristics of the population, assessment, and intervention…

Identifies gaps between what research reveals about how college students learn and current academic, pedagogical, and administrative practices and policies. Offers five explanations of why these gaps exist and suggests that change must be systemic, and will also require that people relearn their roles, systematic measurement of progress, and a…

Examines techniques for generating positive test washback to teachers and students, and their relevance in the teaching of Italian as a second language. A sample Italian test is offered to demonstrate how the criteria for positive washback can be met in an exam that challenges students to develop all four language skills (listening, speaking,…

A study explored the perceptions of 12 administrators and policy makers, 13 family members, 12 friends, and 9 adults with challenging behavior and mental retardation and/or autism, 7 researchers, and 13 teachers regarding current behavioral information and dissemination. Results indicate a continued gap between research and practice. (Contains…

Explores the problematic issues, deficits, and open questions that have received little attention in the discussion on self-controlled learning although they arise in both theory formation and research practice. Discusses perspectives for a further development of both theory and research practice and of the practice of self-directed learning in…

Describes the evolution of a young professional-development school, detailing challenges and successes the school has experienced thus far. The idea was to offer teachers a context for bridging theory and practice and provide additional resources and opportunities for ongoing collaboration and dialog. Trust and respect were essential ingredients.…

Introduces this issue's Arena Symposium, which contains revised versions of papers presented in a session at the annual conference of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (January 1999) that focus on reconciling the priorities and balances between research and teaching. (CMK)

Focuses on the ways in which teaching and research have been made compatible in the Department of Geography at the University of Durham (England), such as achieving balance between research, teaching, and administration, the use of research groups, and taking a long-term view in reconciling the demands of research and teaching. (CMK)

Presents letters, from Joseph Schwab to the author over the period 1979-1982, that focus on liberal education, the theory practice relationship, and writing history of the English Sixth Form (grades 11 and 12). Suggests that the idea of 'orality' provides an important key to Schwab's philosophy of action. (CMK)