Addressing the problems of cross-research analysis, two Federal Interagency Panels have recommended that researchers: 1) use more complete definitions of the variables used in their study; 2) be more precise in their descriptions of populations; and 3) insure that their methodology and research lends itself to a comparability review. (BJG)

What principals know about emerging trends in personnel evaluation and how their knowledge has been influenced by school contexts was studied with 64 principals in 4 very different school districts. Principal responses reflected differing degrees of knowledge and implementation of ideas suggested by recent research. (SLD)

The kinds of inferences that can be drawn from international educational assessment are explored, considering the evidence that can be obtained and how it can be interpreted. International assessments have been thought of as yielding information that allows comparisons of relative achievement by country and subject, or that allows the improvement…

Suggests a procedure whereby educational administrators can peruse comparative studies that may help them understand their own problems, suggest alternative solutions, or identify factors unique to their system. Two examples of review studies explore the problem of system specificity and the usefulness of comparative studies. (MLF)

This paper examines the steps taken in Sweden and Hungary to improve schools. A description is given of the social-political-economic context of each of these countries, noting their similarities and differences. Particular focus is upon the role played by educational research and development efforts in the two countries, and most particularly on…

Deals with research at the Institute for Educational Research (Jyvaskyla, Finland) during the 1970s and compare it with other educational research in Finland during the period. Emphasis of institute activity was on primary education, with a considerable amount of research on higher education. Future research needs are noted. (MH)

This companion study to the three-part report, "National Survey of Salaries and Wages in Public Schools, 1986-87," offers administrators and policymakers accurate and timely data for comparing staffing ratios in their own school systems with those of similar enrollment size and expenditure level. Pupil-staff and teacher-staff ratios were…

This report presents the proceedings of a conference for researchers and trainers of researchers, convened to discuss the issues involved in improving knowledge by finding better ways to permit cross-research analyses or longitudinal research analyses. Included are: (1) a description of the history, goals, and activities of the Interagency Panel…

Teacher knowledge is examined as a joint construction of teachers and researchers by analyzing contrasting narrative practices in the research interview in terms of how two teachers formulate versions of self. Seeing the narratives as representational technologies locates these teachers differently in the knowledge-constitutive networks of…

This paper identifies two broad types of "critical" ethnographic research. One type attempts to empower social actors by providing emic-oriented accounts which tend to emphasize the integrity of their constructs, thus laying the groundwork for a redistribution of social power. The other type attempts to combine analysis of phenomenal, micro-level…

Trends over the past 25 years in research on evaluation of school administrative leadership are analyzed in this summary report. Administrator evaluation became a concern as the principal's influence on the performance and attitudes of faculty and staff was realized. Research on organizational psychology demonstrated the relationship between…

Brief analyses are provided of presentations made at a conference, held at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, which addressed questions and answers relating to research and education. Conference sessions explored the role of research in relation to educational practices with special focus on theory, research, issues and application.…

This volume evaluates the effects of contemporary issues and technological trends upon the nature of Western society's educational systems and its ability to cope with changes in employment. The work is a translation from Italian. Three chapters emphasize higher education and compulsory education's relationship to a future society of quality…

The prospects for disseminating research to the field of adult basic education and literacy (ABE&L) were assessed by interviewing about 60 ABE&L decision makers and practitioners from 10 different states about their work and information needs. The decision makers set ABE&L policy in states or regions and/or supervised teachers and…

This report summarizes a comparative study of 15 government-designated community schools (DCSs) and 17 nondesignated schools (NDSs) in Alberta (Canada). To assist decision-makers and to identify for the public the accomplishments of the community school program, the researcher provides baseline data on 10 variables derived from the Alberta…