Four major forces will provide the major influences on all adult learning in the next decade, and they affect conferences and meetings as well. The author discusses these four forces: friendly competition, appeals to the emotions, demands for quality, and increased research and development. (CT)

Learn from Columbus: to sail your schools into an unknown future, be prepared to toss out time-worn management approaches and take some creative risks. (Author)

This article introduces a series of 12 papers on mathematics instruction for students with learning disabilities (LD). It discusses educational trends that have implications for mathematics instruction, research in LD and mathematics instruction, and components of effective mathematics instruction. Tables summarize the standards of the National…

This article reviews the current status of the behavior disorders field in the context of increasing criticisms of special education generally. It notes critical issues within the field and reviews its strengths, contributions, notable achievements, and capacity to produce high quality research. Challenges such as the need to translate research…

Areas of need in educational research are discussed: (1) assessment of student achievement; (2) necessary content area skills; (3) traits of outstanding teachers; (4) how to teach higher order thinking skills; (5) effective computer use; (6) skills to enhance worker productivity; (7) sound investments for education; (8) effective methods of…

Cites the need for scholarly activity in instructional technology and argues that it should be shifted from education, with its focus on teacher preparation, to technology, where there would be more freedom to explore the consequences of techniques, methods, instruments, and processes inherent in the field. Thirty-two references are cited. (MBR)

Provides observations on current trends in the environment to which the dissemination of child development and early education knowledge is directed, and presents issues related to the dissemination of knowledge to practitioners. Closes with a discussion on some implications of these trends and issues. (BB)

This paper identifies trends in the population of students with learning disabilities (LD) in the public schools and explores reasons for these trends. It notes that there has been a 198 percent increase in the number of children served as LD between 1976-77 and 1992-93 due to a lack of consensus on the definition of LD and school-level processes…

The author, the 1996 winner of the Council for Exceptional Children Research Award, reviews trends in research and changes in special education over the past 25 years. Emphasis is on the continued need for research on learning disabilities and ways to ensure that research findings are translated into practice. (DB)

Educational researchers are urged to consider the benefits of creating a center for the study of unanticipated and short-lived educational phenomena. (MM)

This paper addresses concerns about effects of current changes in higher education on development of leadership personnel (professors and researchers) in special education. It suggests that current changes are a consequence of external expectations and a failure of faculty to protect the cultural values of academia. The prominent role of…

The role of research in the future of special education is discussed. The impact of research on practice is exemplified in the rise of the mainstreaming movement from research findings unable to find benefits in special class instruction for the mildly handicapped. The continuing ambivalence of the practitioner toward research is noted. The past…

Reflections on the field of special education find a continuing gap between research and practice, especially in serving students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. It urges increasing public awareness of the reality of emotional and behavioral disorders, improving special education teacher training and establishing professional…

This paper seeks to assess the current state of academic research in light of long-term trends in the development of science. It presents three perspectives on the growth of scientific research: (1) Derek de Solla Price's (1963) hypothesis that science has exhibited exponential growth, roughly doubling every 15 years since the 17th century; (2)…

This paper identifies recurrent themes in prevention of behavioral and conduct disorders, including early intervention and family-focused prevention services; school-based prevention programs (such as peer mediation, social skills training, and self-management training); and within- and across-setting collaboration. Key areas for prevention…