This chapter describes the historical and contemporary theoretical underpinnings of learning communities and argues that there is a need for more complex models in conceptualizing and assessing their effectiveness.

Implementation refers to the process by which an intervention is put into practice. Research studies across multiple disciplines, including education, have consistently demonstrated that interventions are rarely implemented as designed and, crucially, that variability in implementation is related to variability in the achievement of expected…

Missionary zeal must be supplemented by rigorous empirical research if environmental education is to efficiently contribute to the alleviation of environmental problems. Objectives pertinent to all programs are proposed, folklore influencing these programs is identified, and research issues fundamental to increasing the contributions of…

Paper prepared for the International Association of University Professors of English, Dublin, August 19-24, 1968.

Some of the major concerns of education stem from the fact that young men and women leave our educational system without sufficient skills to survive in the world of work. Vocational education has a vital role to play in solving the problems related to this situation. The staff at this Research and Development Unit believes the problems can best…

Researchers and practitioners should find this publication useful in identifying substantive problems, methodological approaches, and research findings applicable to education programs for the disadvantaged. Major sections of the document include: (1) Historical Perspective of Vocational Education For the Disadvantaged, (2) Rationale For and…

This document includes invited papers written for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Elementary/Secondary Education Data Redesign Project. Early in 1985, NCES began a thorough review of its data collection program. The purpose of the review was to address questions of the suitability, scope, reliability, and timeliness of…

To determine improvements needed in vocational programs for male students, a pretested questionnaire was administered to 1,856 boys in grades 9-12 in nine Nevada high schools. The study was further limited to students in vocational agriculture, trades and industry, and distributive education. Some major conclusions and recommendations were: (1)…

This report of the National Conference on Trade and Industrial Education includes nine committee reports on the topics which are of greatest importance to state supervisors, teacher educators and others. The topics are: (1) improved teacher education programs to meet the growth needs, (2) a program of research to meet the needs in an expanding…

A nationwide comparative study of the 677 sites using DISCOVER or SIGI (computer-assisted career guidance systems) as of June 1984 was made. Software-based and institutionally-based factors influencing system use were explored. The former included theoretical bases, ease of software usage, and developer's implementation assistance; while the…

The papers presented in this collection examine the implications of a growing demand for qualified career education personnel including the need for staff training capabilities, particularly the possible requirements for supportive research and development (R & D) personnel. The papers are intended to provide information and perspective to those…

Based on a review of the literature on industrial education as well as on comments elicited from industrial educators, it does not appear that the topics for research in industrial education have changed much throughout the years. What has changed, however, is the context in which industrial educators operate. In light of these changes, it would…

IN 1965, THE TASK FORCE ON TEACHING ENGLISH TO THE DISADVANTAGED TRIED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF ADULT BASIC BY VISITING 35 PROGRAMS IN 15 STATES AND COLLECTING SOME 1,300 PIECES OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL. AMONG THE PROBLEMS OBSERVED WERE THE LACK OF WRITTEN OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES DESIGNED AROUND THE STUDENTS' GOALS AND NEEDS, BROAD…

Findings are reported of a workshop held to identify the priority needs of postsecondary occupational education in the 1980s and to develop a list of research and development topics based on those needs. Changes and trends identified by the panel are listed under six societal force areas: demographics, technological advances, the economy, the work…