This commentary outlines the potential benefits of applying advances in the science of learning and development to special education service delivery and research. Building from a dynamic ecological systems perspective of development, it is argued that special education should focus on the whole child in context to leverage the correlated…

Although becoming widespread, especially in view of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and without a universally-accepted definition, most discussions of standards-based reforms (SBR) include certain commonalities, including: (1) Academic expectations for students; (2) Alignment of key elements of the educational system to promote attainment of these…

A new federal agency, the National Institute of Education, is trying to find out whether educational research can improve classroom performance. (Editor/RK)

This paper considers three aspects of federal legislation and policy that are critical to an understanding of federal dissemination of research and development and exemplary practice information in education. One of the major difficulties is the variety of viewpoints on what constitutes dissemination. These range from one-way flow of information…

In 1867, a bill was passed by Congress establishing a department of education. The appropriations for the department were reduced almost immediately, and the status of the agency was undercut by reassigning it as an office in the Department of Interior. From 1867 to 1954, the United States Office of Education (USOE) and the federal government were…

Comparative analysis of three research projects over 7-year period (1994-2001) identifies changes in school development planning in English primary schools in relation to the format and content of ideas, the implementation process in schools, and the impact of government legislation. (Contains 22 references.) (PKP)

The scope of this paper is concerned with communicating developments related to elementary and secondary levels of education as mediated through State, intermediate, and local educational agencies. (Author/RK)

The vocational education research and development (R & D) provisions in Public Law 94-482, the Education Amendments Act of 1976, are the primary focus of this commentary by the counsel and staff director of the Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor.…

Discusses the processes by which science education policy is determined at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Included are the degree of the involvement of different groups in policy-making, major issues related to the role of the NSF, and policies currently in effect. (HM)

The House Committee on Education and Labor has primary oversight responsibility for the Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) and any new legislation relating to that office. In 1991 the authorizing legislation, set forth in the General Education Provisions Act, is due to expire. The Subcommittee, in the…

In the first paper of this set, a paradigm which was developed in communication and diffusion research is adapted to define the educational innovation process in the form of producer-product-dissemination-users-adoption. Dissemination and adoption are subject to a number of factors, which can be further detailed. Previously innovation was seen as…

Considers some ways to improve the milieu in which educational research and development takes place, including balancing procurement methods, modifying expectations of R & D, building a political constituency and developing realistic legislative goals, obtaining continual adequate research support, and, joining researchers and practitioners.…

The accomplishments of education research are many, and they are leaving an indelible imprint on the shape and character of American education. The role of the federal government in education is one of leadership and financial and technical assistance to the states or to individual school districts or higher education institutions. The birth of…

The thesis of this paper is that vocational education and the persons it espouses to serve deserve the potential benefits of research and development which are not being maximized at the present time. Following a brief summary of vocational education legislation, the general efficiency and ability of the research and development program is…

This report on the Educational Research, Development, and Dissemination Excellence Act (H.R. 4014), an act to amend the General Education Provisions Act and reauthorize the Office of Educational Research and Improvement through 1996, presents background on the legislation, including a summary of 15 hearings held between 1987 and 1992 and a…