Argues that educational research and policymaking are hampered by increased intervention by governmental agencies and misrepresentation in the media. Asserts that current educational reform efforts are in conflict with research findings related to curriculum, learning, and assessment. (CFR)

Asserts that a recent report suggests that students should have opportunities to become actively engaged in the application of economics. Finds that the case method approach was more useful than texts and lectures in learning about institutional arrangements, the use of economic data, and how to use economics to solve real problems. (CFR)

Review of models traditionally used by different disciplines to describe thinking processes led to development of a general model and testing in six pure and applied matched disciplines (physics, engineering, psychology, education, English literature, composition). Professors applied the models to their courses in different ways and used various…

Offers brief commentary on the studies included in this issue. Maintains that the four articles on children's home and school language is important professional literature for anyone who deals with reading and language. (BB)

Discusses problem of socialization to school environment. Explains that the process can have a negative impact on teachers' attitudes toward social studies teaching and can result in noncreative teaching. Recommends methods for retaining the ideals learned in education courses. Suggests doing things in manageable steps, reserving time for…

Reviews the restructuring of the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools. Key choices made about restructuring over 10 years are discussed, and 18 key elements for improvement are identified. It is argued that the reform is on the right track, with potential for substantial impact. (SLD)

Reports findings to date from a study under the auspices of the National Center for Postsecondary Governance and Finance concerning environmental actors relating to minority degree achievement in predominantly white four-year colleges and universities. Examines whether research results can really be linked to specific suggestions to improve campus…

Reports on the relationship between the seating patterns of students and their observed attitudes toward class activities in an English-as-a-Second-Language class. Discusses issues of physical territoriality, psycholinguistic territoriality, and active participation by students. (CFR)

This study surveyed public school teachers to investigate their theoretical orientations toward teaching thinking and toward two views about the nature of thinking (content-oriented and skills-oriented). Results showed that less than one-fourth presented a clear content or skill orientation. Most had mixed views about the two theories. (SM)

Comments on the research finding that, inasmuch as schools are complex organizations, powerfully resistant to change, effective staff development requires focused school effort. The role of school climate and the principal, the relation of theory and application, and the need for evaluation are mentioned. (Contains eight references.) (KRN)

Asserts that, although research can be a powerful resource in guiding and fueling grass-roots social change, the community-based research enterprise often is contentious. Recommends collaborative research studies in which the researchers and practitioners work together from the project's inception. (CFR)

Claims multicultural research strives for inclusion of populations, and viewpoints, creating problems of focus, methodology, and research designs. Argues graduate courses in Eurocentric universities do not address issues, themes, and methods of multicultural research. Notes that dissertation work on minorities receives marginal status. (NL)

By reviewing the training of medical professionals, one can identify similarities to the preparation of education professionals (teachers). On a basic level, the medicine and education fields are both practice-oriented; require individuals with problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills; depend on information bases that multiply…

Summarizes research on middle level schools and students that contributes to ongoing debates concerning grade span, school size, grouping of students, departmentalization, curriculum, instruction, advisory groups, interdisciplinary teaming, school-transition activities, extra-help programs, and student evaluation practices in the middle grades.…

Common sense proposals for school restructuring suggest promising directions, but issues of the content needed to give educational direction and show how to link the factors that influence this content must be addressed. An agenda of content for teacher commitment and competence is proposed. Problems of linkage are addressed. (SLD)