As teachers learn new pedagogical strategies, they crave explicit demonstrations that show them how the new strategies will work with their students in their classrooms. Successful instructional coaches, therefore, understand the importance of modeling lessons to help teachers develop a vision of effective instruction. The author, an experienced…

Discusses the process of conducting social research, indicating how the Milan systemic model can help meet the goals of a systemic epistemology in research by offering guidelines for developing research programs which acknowledge social intervention. (MM)

Describes the dilemma of research training in gerontology: the need for rigor of disciplinary science with intradisciplinary awareness. Relates the problem to organizational features of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and the Gerontological Society of America, and summarizes a preliminary educational approach to possible…

Ten problem areas associated with research conducted with the Adaptive Learning Environment Model (ALEM) are delineated. Concerns about the implementation of this model in an effort to improve the interfacing of regular and special education are expressed in four areas: generalizability, level of learning, personnel and funding, and practical…

After a 1978 meeting, eight professional education organizations drafted a position statement on the essentials of education. The statement affirmed that the interdependence of skills and content is the central concept of the essentials of education, and that subject disciplines are interdependent. The statement also listed specific essentials of…

This response to Mahoney et al. (EC 623 392) offers a definition of parent education and discusses the importance of identifying intended outcomes and providing effective educational opportunities. Two models of parent education in early intervention are described: Parents Interacting with Infants and the Individualized Support Project. Some…

Four influential studies on school effectiveness reported by Brookover and Lezotte (1979), Edmonds and Frederiksen (1979), Phi Delta Kappa (1980), and Rutter and others (1979) are limited in their usefulness as recipes for creating effective schools by the following four issues: (1) The four studies differ in their definition of what…

Several problems exist with the rural knowledge base as it is traditionally conceived: (1) there is no useful rural definition with the diverse rural reality; (2) rural is undervalued as reflected in teacher education and training and in the stereotyping of regions in the country; (3) issues of sparsity, scarcity and size are disregarded, and (4)…

Curriculum needs can be identified and curriculum developed using the instructional design process. A fictional scenario and instructional design components are provided for those educators interested in incorporating virtual reality into the curriculum. Sample items of questionnaires are appended. (AEF)

This report reviews existing proposals pertaining to pre-paid college tuition programs among the states. Four major program formats are reviewed: the trust approach, the education IRA (Individual Retirement Account) approach, the tuition certificate approach, and the savings bond approach. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are…

Discusses ways in which child care program directors can provide a model of good early childhood education in their training visits to classrooms. Presents a workshop format and agenda for training early childhood education teachers in observation skills. (GLR)

Responding to an article (EC 618 445) describing an individualized program for young children with severe disabilities, including autism, and their families, this article notes features of the program such as its individualized nature, its emphasis on building capacity in families and early intervention providers, and its integrative practices…

This paper presents thoughts resulting from review of proposals by state developmental disabilities authorities, submitted to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, that were designs for change initiatives in self-determination systems. These reflections on the use of service money and the provision of supports to people with developmental…

The paper examines the historical background, the current status, and the future possibilities of educational programing for gifted children with sensory and/or physical disabilities. Discussed are definitions, prevalence, child characteristics, identification methods, exemplary programs, obstacles, and influential trends. A model is proposed for…

Reconceptualizing physical education shifts emphasis from sports-centered programs to health-related fitness. Four program suggestions are discussed for improving long-term physical activity patterns of youth. Also discussed are two programs in transition being implemented by school districts in Georgia and Wyoming. (IAH)