Current research and evaluation studies describe changing knowledge about the effects and conditions of computer-based tools in learning and teaching in elementary and secondary school classrooms. Current studies of computer-based tool use are characterized by: (1) a focus on many dimensions of learning, learners, and learning environments; (2) an…

The problem of high school dropouts has generated increased interest among researchers, policymakers, and educators in recent years. This paper examines the many issues involved in trying to understand and solve this complex social and educational problem. The issues are grouped into four areas, related to the incidence, causes, consequences, and…

This guide examines the evolution of human services systems toward the recognition that individuals with handicaps can make consumer choices and should be included in decision-making sessions. Consumers with disabilities are seeking empowerment through their presence and participation in political processes and community events. Choices regarding…

The Child Care Employee Project hosted a 2-day working session in Berkeley, California, in an effort to explore questions raised by the National Child Care Staffing Study about what constitutes adequate professional preparation for child care teachers and providers. The mission of the meeting was to develop an agenda for research about the process…

This paper focuses on: (1) prevalent assumptions and weaknesses underlying research on preschool programs for 3- to 5-year-olds; (2) issues concerning transition to kindergarten and early elementary grades; (3) the preparation of early childhood personnel; and (4) critical research needs. The review of research findings prompts questions about the…

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the ideas and proposals in 10 papers commissioned by the National Center for Education Statistics to identify issues in early childhood education which have major relevance to public policy. Part I offers a brief overview of the context in which the issues were raised, focusing on current trends,…

An overview of youth exchange programs in Europe is provided from a previous study of 15 exchange programs in Member States of the European Community plus Spain and Portugal. The 15 programs can be categorized as short-term, broadly based exchanges; long-term, selective exchanges; short-term exchanges organized by educational organizations or as…

The role of social scientists and educators in the information revolution is to monitor the social, political, and economic consequences of increased use of technology and to research affective, cognitive, and social outcomes. Six issues provide a focus for addressing the impact of these changes. (1) An assessment of how the technological…

Government initiatives for incorporating microcomputers in the schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as well as the availability of and attitudes toward computer assisted learning (CAL) in secondary school geography, economics, and history are discussed. In 1980, the government launched the Microelectronics Education Programme to support…

A rationale for outdoor education, 36 annotated references, (dated 1972-1981), glossary, and recommendations are included in this study of the educational relevance of outdoor education. Information is organized around three questions: (1) Does outdoor education promote a more solid grasp of the concepts than a similar environmental curriculum…

This examination of microcomputer use in primary schools begins by comparing the national data for elementary schools for 1984-1985 with the findings of a study of seven elementary schools in the Anchorage (Alaska) School District (ASD) which was conducted in the same year. Current research findings are cited in a discussion of assumptions about…

Theoretical concepts about situational management decisions are incorporated in an investigation of school administrators in Tennessee to determine (1) whether administrators can be identified who possess specified leadership characteristics and (2) if those leaders consider employee maturity criteria when selecting employees for tasks. The study…

The language laboratory could make a larger impact than it does on undergraduate language study. The growth of attractive new technology makes even more important the careful evaluation and exploitation of existing technology. A major obstacle in doing this is the lack of careful and rigorous research about the effectiveness of the language…

Historical and philosophical tensions between Ontario's central provincial educational system and local school boards have been mitigated by division of administrative responsibilities. The province's vastness and cultural diversity are persistent sources of tension. Historical tensions are significant, for colonial schooling standards and French…

Federal statistics reveal that 59.5 million Americans live outside urban areas, and the public school students who live in these rural areas constitute the largest minority public school population in this country; however, the lion's share of attention, research, and federal and state financial support goes to large schools in metropolitan areas.…