A synthesis of the state of the literature is discussed in this section of the Evaluation Capacity Building (ECB) forum organized around four critical questions: (1) What is ECB? (2) How can we make it happen? (3) How do we know it is happening? and (4) What is its impact? The authors argue that to move the field of ECB forward we need to envision…

Surveys recent research findings on drug education programs in the United States. Notes that findings have been somewhat contradictory but that pattern of encouraging results seems to favor prevention programs that focus on resistance training. Results were complimentary of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Student Assistance Program…

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has made a great impact on states' policies in assessing English language learner (ELL) students. The legislation requires states to develop or adopt sound assessments in order to validly measure the ELL students' English language proficiency (ELP), as well as content knowledge and skills. Although states have…

A review is presented of the operations of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). Overviews are provided of ACER activities and future planning in the following programs: (1) social context of education; (2) measurement and evaluation; (3) learning and teaching; (4) survey and psychometric services; (5) advisory services; and (6)…

In the United States, recent educational research and development efforts reflect an overriding concern for maximizing these impact areas on practice, as illustrated by five thrusts: development work; evaluation; fundamental research; dissemination; and attention to the process of social inquiry. The complexity of American education makes research…

Reports that despite alarming news stories about growing academic dishonesty on college campuses, new research confirms the effectiveness of strategies such as modified honor codes that emphasize student leadership and intensive programming about the importance of academic integrity. Offers 10 specific guidelines for implementing a modified honor…

Data from recent international conferences and existing studies show that adult literacy research questions pursued by academicians and those pursued by practitioners are markedly different. Research concerns expressed by these two groups, in both developed and developing countries, are based on different assumptions regarding the nature,…

Provides an overview of recent research in Great Britain that is looking at children in public care over time, what happens to them, and how services can be better directed to their needs. Focuses on children who stay long in substitute care, such as family foster care or residential homes, and then who return home or live independently. (TJQ)

This article discusses the effectiveness of a curriculum used in training 177 participants to change their knowledge about childhood sexuality and beliefs about the adult's role in responding. On six of the seven items measuring change, post-training scores were significantly higher. Information dissemination, emerging research, and promising…

The design and implementation of a two-year project on research utilization in elementary teacher education (RUETE) integrates: (1) the application of research on effective instruction; (2) the utilization of processes of adult learning in a systematic manner; and (3) the development of teacher education academies. The first of the study's two…

The article examines the efficacy of educational consultation through a review of research studies in the following categories: field-based survey research, outcome studies, and process investigations. It is suggested that future research maintain a broader-based ecological perspective which includes such factors as staffing patterns, cost…

Reviews what is known about the overall effectiveness of Title I programs and discusses how Title I can become a more effective intervention. Makes three policy recommendations for fostering better research and better programs, centering on accountability, continued research and development, and randomized experimental studies of promising…

Experts discuss the approaches used with the nations's gifted and talented students. Among the reasons for program problems is the on-again, off-again interest from the U.S. public and policymakers. Highlights milestones in gifted education; theories of acceleration vs. enrichment; and the controversial option of residential schools. (MLF)

This monograph analyzes the empirical literature on multicultural teacher education. The first section summarizes the existing literature in general education and points out strengths and weaknesses. Noted are a pervasive lack of answers to many questions and a dearth of empirical research on multicultural preservice teacher education. The paper…

This report summarizes the state of knowledge about children and youth with disabilities at risk of delinquency or already involved with the juvenile justice system. It reviews the existing research as well as perspectives of service providers, administrators, policy makers, and advocates. Following an executive summary and introductory chapter,…