A Discovery Unit was designed to develop problem-finding behavior in 67 gifted children (grades 3-6). Students identified a problem and its solution using topics of their choice. The results of this two-year pilot project support the need to instruct and practice problem-finding skills at the elementary level. (DB)

Issues concerning cooperative efforts between teachers and researchers are considered, based on the experiences of an educator who served as a cooperating teacher in three classroom research projects and a collaborative researcher in another project. Commentary is provided on what collaboration really means, the slowness of change, planning,…

This introductory article to a special issue on families of children and adolescents with special needs across the life span notes the articles' focus on theory, research, and practice as a way to provide information about current work in the fields of early intervention, special education, and family support from an ecological perspective. (DB)

This paper categorizes and tabulates recommendations of 16 reports published since 1980 addressing ways to improve the management of federally sponsored academic research in the United States. The analysis found that most frequently reiterated recommendations have not been implemented, possibly because implementation often depends on consensus of…

A brief history of research involving humans is followed by discussion of the use of students in university research projects and institutional responsibility to students and the public. Institutions are encouraged to incorporate specific controls into research policies to avoid legal problems in the areas of contract theory, fiduciary…

Discusses Head Start's historical focus on the needs of children in the context of the family and community. Describes a five-step approach to developing a two-generation Head Start program strategy and research agenda. (BB)

Discusses the effects of group size, staff-child ratios, and staff training and qualifications on the quality of child care. (BB)

Identifies barriers to production and dissemination of information that can contribute to environmental knowledge. Discusses information and the role of Universities and Research Institutes, the attributes of information, characteristics of "barriers," limitations context, and the special problems of environmental information…

Common issues in a review of seven books related to changes in higher education were: expansions, growth, and diversity in 1960s and 1970s; convergence between technological and general academic institutions in the 1970s; institutional autonomy and the role of the state in the 1980s; and governmental pressure to conform to a commercial model of…

Discusses the history of curriculum theory, reasons for the gap between theory and practice, and propositions for improving the relationship. Literature shows little progress in reducing the gap. Three movements may offer theorists and practitioners more curriculum control and reduce the gap: empowering teachers, professionalizing teaching, and…

A conceptual structure is developed for examining college and university productivity, and an explanation is proposed for why productivity has declined. It is argued that much of the problem results from the shift of faculty effort toward research and professional activity and away from undergraduate teaching. (Author/SLD)

Explores several facets of science and technology from an Afrocentric perspective with a world view, normative assumptions, and frames of reference growing from experiences and folk wisdom of African Americans. African-American studies can illuminate ways in which science and technology have been subordinated to ideology. (SLD)

Presents summary of what transpired at symposium organized to address feelings of ethnic-minority researchers about impact of white researchers investigating cross-cultural issues. Concludes with four lessons to be drawn from whole topic of minority and majority researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues.…

Discussed is whether scientists should take responsibility for the social consequences of their discoveries. Reviewed is the role to which the "modern" playwright assigns scientists in modern society and what might realistically be a role that scientists and scientific societies should play in the modern world. (KR)

This introductory article on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) identifies the purpose of CBM, notes differences between CBM and other curriculum-based assessment approaches, and traces the history and development of CBM. The research and development program on CBM at the University of Minnesota is highlighted. (DB)