This literature review focuses on education policy implementation, its definition, processes and determinants. It aims to clarify what implementing policies involve in complex education systems to support policy work, building on the literature and country examples. An introduction delves into the reasons behind the need to update the concept of…

Sharing scientific research data has become increasingly important for knowledge advancement in today's networked, digital world. This article describes the evolution of access to United States government information in relation to scientific research funded by federal grants. It analyzes the data sharing policy of the National Science Foundation,…

In the current review, we examined teacher leadership research completed since York-Barr and Duke published the seminal review on teacher leadership in 2004. The review was undertaken to examine how teacher leadership is defined, how teacher leaders are prepared, their impact, and those factors that facilitate or inhibit teacher leaders' work.…

The document results from part of the Policy Options Project which identified and analyzed policy issues related to the delivery of appropriate services to preschool handicapped children and their families in terms of the need for assuring appropriate services, the factors affecting such policies, and policy approaches for the implementation of…

A common theme in the current spate of reports advocating reform of American schools has been the need for attaining the twin goals of "equity" and "excellence." Yet there is widespread disagreement, not only on the relationship of quality and equality, but on the acceptable meanings of these terms as well. James Coleman, (1969) in "The Concept of…

The use of evaluations for policy and program development and change is critically reviewed. Existing conceptions of utilization are discussed and improvements in the methods of detecting use are suggested. Five clusters of variables affecting utilization are described and hypotheses about the reasons for their effects are outlined. (Author/AL)

This report synthesizes two research projects initiated by the Illinois State Board of Education on the development of a definition of schooling and on the analysis of mandates implemented by the state for special education, bilingual education, and instructional programs in elementary and secondary schools. The report is presented in five…

Reviews research on learning disabilities. Evaluates the adequacy of the knowledge base. Discusses the implications for social policies regarding the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and education of learning disabled children. (Author/BJV)

Draws on previous review of literature on adolescent abuse. Argues for response in Britain that includes reconsideration of definitions of abuse; reappraisal of attitudes toward adolescents in general, and those disclosing abuse in particular; development of inter-agency working and styles of working which involve adolescents meaningfully in…

Reviews the historical basis and rationale for identifying children as learning disabled due to a discrepancy between scores on measures of intelligence and achievement. Discusses the validity of such classifications and the role of IQ testing in the designation of children as learning disabled for research and public policy. Alternative…

Since colonial times, definitions and estimates of illiteracy in the United States have been debated. The Census Bureau's major indicator is number of years of schooling completed. However, average grade-level attainment is high, whereas estimates of levels of reading ability remain low. In addition, these measures are inadequate for adults. A…

The report examines implications of applying a functional rather than categorical definition of disabilities to Connecticut's services for the developmentally disabled. Specific objectives included preparation of an overview of services available, an analysis of policy options and system constraints, an analysis of the implications of reorganizing…

Reviews psychological conceptions of giftedness. Discusses the current status of education of the gifted. Introduces current public policy issues and concerns related to future policy issues. Recommends new directions for research. (Author/BJV)

The report presents recommendations from a November, 1978 national conference on child abuse. It is explained that groups of invited representatives from government, social service and public interest groups, the media, and the academic community discussed policies for treatment and prevention of child abuse. Summarized are recommendations on the…

Agencies funding early childhood education projects, policy analysts, and research consumers have created a demand for research tools generating data with applied reliability. This paper examines the focus group as a social science research tool which meets this demand. Part 1 defines a focus group as a carefully planned discussion designed to…