Policymakers, funders, and researchers today view "research-practice partnerships" (RPPs) as a promising approach for expanding the role of research in improving educational practice. Although studies in other fields provide evidence of the potential for RPPs, studies in education are few. This article provides a review of available…

Although school administrators hold a key position in educational improvement, strategies designed to help in the development of their knowledge and skills have not been fully examined. A review of research on administrator inservice offers a research agenda that may be followed to expand the knowledge base on this issue. (DF)

This loose-leaf compendium includes three types of brief research summaries: "topical synthesis,""close-ups," and "snapshots." The single topical synthesis, by Kathleen Cotton, is entitled "Teaching Composition: Research on Effective Practices." Closeups consist of brief definitions, essential research…

The technological-driven future will evolve through the next decades to massively impact elementary and secondary education, starting in the 1980 decade and building toward revolutionizing education in the 1990 decade. The evolving "silicon revolution" is producing a continuing list of new electronic technology poised at the threshold for massive…

Presented are the highlights and an analysis of The Neal Report on undergraduate science education. Included are an overview of the report and discussions and recommendations on laboratories; curriculum; industry/academic coupling; centers for instructional research and development; faculty exchange; teaching internships; and undergraduate women,…

This report summarizes a variety of major collaborations in which the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) of the University of California at Los Angeles participated in Fiscal Year 1992. Most of the collaborations are part of the CRESST's Program One, "Building the Infrastructure for Improved…

Western countries' energetic reform efforts over the past decade are having insufficient effects on student achievement. School improvement literature suggests that policy makers focus on classroom practice, develop varied curriculum and teaching programs, consider reform context and staff development, build capacity, and improve research and…

Using tests to reform education is not a new concept. National and state education policies reflect confidence in the power of assessment to encourage school improvement. New understandings of the nature and context of student learning are shifting the movement away from traditional multiple-choice tests to alternative assessments. The emphasis is…

Updating a 1978 literature review, this document assembles five articles analyzing recent research on how various types of educational agencies disseminate information for school improvement. Each article summarizes literature relevant to one type of educational agency, discusses interrelationships among the research findings, and assesses the…

The Research and Development Exchange (RDx) is a network of regional educational laboratories and university-based research and development centers working to support state and local school improvement efforts. Initiated by the National Institute of Education in 1976, the RDx is composed of eight Regional Exchanges and four central support…

This document provides a portfolio of resources for educators involved in rural school improvement. The Federal Interagency Committee on Education developed a national research and development (R&D) agenda for rural education that focuses on six themes: rural school effectiveness, curricular provisions, school-community partnerships, human…

This loose-leaf compendium includes three types of brief research summaries: "topical synthesis,""close-ups," and "snapshots." The single topical synthesis is entitled "School-Based Management" (Kathleen Cotton). Close-ups consist of brief definitions and essential research findings on the following topics:…

As part of a 3-year study to identify emerging issues and trends in technology for special education, this paper addresses the complex issues of school reform and its relationship to educational technology. School restructuring is discussed in terms of instructional improvement, relationship to the Regular Education Initiative, and the increased…