In this article, the author comments on the article by Sylvia Rodger and Alysha Vishram appearing in this issue, titled "Mastering Social and Organizational Goals: Strategy Use by Two Children with Asperger Syndrome during Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance." In the article, the authors explore the use of cognitive strategies,…

This article reflects on my 28-year tenure editing "The Elementary School Journal" ("ESJ"). During my tenure as editor, the educational system was in constant reform, from a Nation at Risk to No Child Left Behind. Considerable evidence suggests that these various reforms, which consumed vast resources, were not successful in…

Traditional methods for preparing systematic reviews and syntheses of effectiveness studies rely on a limited set of methodological criteria to include studies that measure and report effects too narrowly to forward the mission of evidence-based practice. This article discusses why and how the criteria for study selection, evidence screening, and…

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…

There has been rising concern about the disconnect between universities, their communities and society at large. This is of special interest to professional schools, whose missions are founded on connecting practice and theory. We argue that cooperative inquiry, an action-based methodology, can help foster connectedness and contribute to healing…

Describes a framework, or process, for determining the value of a reading/language arts program--a model for program evaluation. (MG)

Reflects on the practice of mentoring from a consultant/trainer/principal's perspective. The strengths of mentoring programs far outweigh existing limitations. Interested districts and schools must consider issues such as planning, training, and appropriate matching of mentors and proteges, if mentoring programs are to succeed. (MLH)

This report chronicles the record of the Reading First program as a research-based approach to teaching children to read, from early successes as a strict program whose funding would be distributed to states and districts using reading curricula whose effectiveness had been validated by scientific study, to one of eased eligibility that permitted…

While the clinical competence of the nurse is taking on greater importance, the clinical laboratory settings are changing in ways that detract from their suitability for use in entry-level programs. Initial consideration of the health care setting reveals several paradoxes that must be resolved if clinical education is to be affected. (JOW)

Discusses perceived shortcomings of current family literacy program models that too often: are conceived and implemented as a compensatory model; target only one child and one parent; do not effectively integrate adult education, literacy/ESL, or parent-child interaction time into programing; and that have a radically unstable funding base.…

Examines assumptions underlying alcohol education programs and program impact from inferential and deductive logic perspectives. Combines review of existing empirical evidence concerning effectiveness of alcohol education with the outcome of a deductive-logical analysis, resulting in a series of explicit, realistic, recommendations for effective…

Discussion of why many experimental educational programs seem promising initially but disappointing when widely applied leads to detailed examination of the concept of "explanation." A proposed model for planning classroom work involves: (1) focusing students on the nature of the problem; (2) orienting pupils to a theoretical construct; and (3)…

Describes the development of a hybrid master's degree that combines research and practice at the University of Nevada-Reno. Relates how the curriculum in journalism and mass communication was developed, including descriptions of core courses and applied research techniques. Concludes that while the experience has not been completely satisfactory,…

Alternative methodologies are proposed to examine how treatment effectiveness may vary as a function of degree of treatment structure, treatment protocol compliance, psychotherapy integration into an overall treatment regimen, participant selection and composition, and variations in treatment parameters. (JPS)

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the differing definitions of natural supports are constructive because of the evolving nature of the research, and that progressive policy is often ahead of documented knowledge, but concurs that additional research is needed. (CR)