University teaching can have a positive impact, a negative impact, or no impact. This article describes indicators of the impact of university teaching at the unit level. Teaching-impact indicators can be organized by the main beneficiary of the teaching: students; others, such as employers and clients, who interact with the students; the…

This commentary focuses on the promises and challenges facing the Social and Character Development (SACD) consortium in evaluating the effectiveness of seven universal SACD programs designed to enhance student behavior and school climate under conditions of real world practice. In this commentary, we highlight that the opportunity costs associated…

In an effort to completely transform both teaching spaces and pedagogical orientation, a multi-stage project that tied professional development efforts for faculty and administrators to a redesign of existing classroom facilities was initiated. The goal was to simultaneously transform learning and spaces for learning in order to change the…

Morrissey, Leikes, and Cochran (this issue) raise concerns about potential negative effects of state pre-kindergarten (pre-K) on the early care and education system. To put their study in context, I reviewed national demographic and enrollment trends. I found little evidence of negative effects from state pre-K policy. One reason may be that…

This paper argues that international studies in the area of educational effectiveness are important for different reasons. It will increase the variation with respect to input process and output and it will show contextual differences between countries with respect to educational effectiveness. Furthermore, in international studies knowledge and…

"Neo-Hahnian" approaches to outdoor adventure education assume their programs "build character." Social psychology research has found that "character" is almost entirely illusory. Outdoor adventure education programs may provide situations that elicit certain behaviors, but the belief in character building must be…

This commentary on the study reported in this monograph focuses on three topics raised by the study: (1) social systems, or individuals in the context of institutions; (2) the study of development through the use of disabled populations as experiments in human growth; and (3) the ability of intervention programs to manipulate development. (BC)

Details evaluation of the West Virginia site of a federally-funded program to maintain early achievement gains viewed as crucial in alleviating poverty-linked social distress. Notes that the Post-Head Start Transition evaluation showed no achievement gains. Asserts that findings provide no support for a general policy of early and continuing…

Advocates research on the effectiveness of early intervention programs for disabled children based on scientific method, rather than advocacy of positions. Reviews effective intervention practices. Illustrates use of the biosocial systems research model, examining biological traits in the context of social systems. Discusses benefits of this…

This comment on EC 231 901 notes that institution-based and community-based residential programs for mentally retarded persons have not been proven to be programmatically equivalent; promoting large institutions as safer than smaller facilities ignores the deplorable history of abuse within institutional services; and institutions cannot assure…

Collected are four conference speeches which in various ways attack the developmental perspective that views genetics as a source of stability and environment as a source of change. Dr. Bonnie E. Litowitz's discussion of "Context and Continuity: Changing Perspectives on Children" explores differences among development, learning, and…

Discusses careful planning, enlightened leadership, informed and enthusiastic teachers, and continuous evaluation as prerequisites for successful interdisciplinary teamwork. Suggests that interdisciplinary teaming allows better use of faculty members' skills, and provides better strategies for dealing with diversified populations, better…

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, and cardiac rehabilitation, a form of post-MI (myocardial infarction) education, accounts for at most 20% of improved lifestyle behavior that can effectively manage symptoms, delay or prevent subsequent attacks, and lower mortality and morbidity rates. In an attempt to improve…