The role of professional associations in providing linkage between educational researchers and educational practicioners is discussed. The difficulties involved in coordinating two essentially discrete and insular educational communities--the research community and the practicing educational community--are described, and an overview of the…

The success of Philadelphia's "What Works in Reading?" report shows how educational research can be a catalyst for school change and indicates a way for school districts to institutionalize this process. Ten factors were associated with the report's immediate impact on educational policy: identification of the research clients, topical…

Calls for increased and systematic efforts in educational research to provide for meeting the new tasks of education. Enumerates five types of changing conditions that affect schools and colleges today. Emphasizes that educational development, evaluative research, and wide utilization of new knowledge are essential to the attainment of new…

It is suggested that the potential contributions research and development activities can make to the improvement of educational practice are far from fully realized for a variety of reasons. Researchers overlook problems teachers consider important, teachers are skeptical of proposals from external groups, and researchers and teachers lack a…

Education, as a field of research, is not clear-cut, well-defined and delimited; it encompasses humanities and behavioral and social sciences. Although expectations about educational research outcomes helping to frame policy and improve practice are frequently unrealistic, the different methodological approaches are not necessarily in conflict.…

Educational planning is presently confronted by an identity crisis. As long as it was believed that educational expansion was a principal ingredient for securing economic growth, democratic political processes, and greater equality of economics and social participation, the tenets and practice of educational planning were rarely questioned.…

Quantitative comparative research provides lessons for educational planners and policymakers unrelated to theoretical labels. This point is illustrated by comparative education "solutions" to typical policy problems in developing countries: increasing access to primary education, expanding secondary and postsecondary education, improving…

Several documents concerning regional educational laboratories are reviewed, key propositions are analyzed, and recommendations are proposed. Attention is directed to the way that labs and centers operate with regard to dissemination and school improvement. Overviews are presented of two major reports: "R&D Funding Policies of the…

This book analyzes the lessons that history can teach those who wish to reform the American education system. It traces the evolving role of the federal government in educational research; explores the course of early-childhood education in the 19th and 20th centuries; examines the history of the Follow Through program, which existed from 1967 to…

The New Literacy Studies (NLS) is an approach that places literacy in its wider context of institutional purposes and power relationships. The NLS has been suggested as offering a useful theoretical basis from which to proceed in developing sustainable lifelong learning in relation to literacy. The first of three issues related to this suggestion…

Outlines the future development of Chinese higher education institutions. Argues that institutions contribute to modernization by evolving new technologies and producing qualified personnel dedicated to "socialist modernization." Recommends long-term planning, incorporating technology, more accessibility, staff-development education, and…

Identifies socioeducational research problems in Latin America, relating them to colonialism's legacy. Contends confusion over development goals impairs setting research priorities; reliance on Western research paradigms impedes developing indigenous models; and, for research to have impact on education, decision makers must have more access to…

Purposes and functions of regional research and development (R&D) services sponsored by the National Institute of Education (NIE) are described, based on a task force's assessment of R&D services provided by regional laboratories. The historical context of the following questions are addressed: whether the conduct of R&D constitutes a…

Proceedings of a convention on dissemination held at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education in Columbus, Ohio are reviewed. The conference agenda includes brief summaries of small-group workshops and large-group sessions. Topics covered include acronyms and abbreviations in vocational education dissemination, microcomputers,…

Research for Better Schools (RBS) has operated INROADS, a career development program for minority youth, for 13 years and the High School Academies, a work-study program aimed at potential high school dropouts, for 14 years. RBS found that a new approach to educational research and development was needed when working in partnership with the…