This chapter describes how the mean of fractal processes does not exist and is not a meaningful measure of some data. It discusses how important it is to stay open to the possibility that sometimes analytic techniques fail to satisfy some assumptions on which the mean is based. (KHR)

Using Project Synthesis as an example of qualitative synthesis research in science education, discusses the characteristics of such research: using research teams to provide perspectives and viewpoints; using variety of data sources; including a conceptual scheme for accomplishing synthesis; and concluding with, among others, an analysis of…

The Curriculum Assessment and Development Project in the Virginia Beach (Virginia) Public Schools is summarized. It was a comprehensive study involving students, parents, teachers, and administrators in considering two key curricular questions: "What kind of person do we want to produce?" and "What knowledge is of most worth?"…

This chapter discusses the way that mathematics curricula are developed in the United States. It suggests that curriculum development in mathematics education makes little progress because it fails to adhere to scientific methodology. Weaknesses in the current development process, how such development can become scientific, how curriculum…

This chapter discusses three different approaches for the use of the history of mathematics and science in educational research. These approaches require increasing levels of scholarly engagement with historical materials and offer correspondingly increased levels of insight. Each of the three techniques includes brief examples of historical…

This chapter presents the shift in perspectives about schooling embodied in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) Standards-based reform movement, describes the impact of these shifts on the types of questions that need to be answered, and defines the ways in which scholarly evidence needs to be developed. Issues of concern…

This chapter describes the corruption of research design and explains why and how a computer-based curriculum innovation project was transformed from a quasi-experimental design to a comparative case study. The first section introduces the Systems Thinking and Curriculum Innovation Network (STACI) that examined the impact of technology on teaching…

Described is The Catalyst Conference convened by the Research Advisory Committee of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to stimulate research on the effects of the NCTM "Standards for Curriculum and Evaluation" as a guide for change in mathematics education. Six focus areas were identified. (MDH)

This chapter presents some ways to reorganize science and mathematics education guided by a wisely chosen, strategic, and secure research base. Needs for systemic reform, educational equity and quality as complementary goals, and urgent and strategic investment in research are discussed. Targets for new research and development are also identified…

Sound, research-based educational reform principles suggest that public schools need arts education as a regular component of a comprehensive curriculum that will lead to student success, and that Universities can and should apply their vast stores of expertise and personnel on behalf of K-12 improvements in teacher support and child learning.…

This paper addresses issues related to the possible inclusion of items in the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) to measure instructional practices and teaching effectiveness. The SASS is a national survey of schools and teachers conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. This report explores the purposes that can be served by…

This chapter describes a research design model that utilizes both theory and common, core classroom conditions in order to create and investigate new instructional strategies. Transformative and conjecture-driven teaching experiments are introduced which were developed to change and reform current teaching practice. It is suggested that such a…

This document describes one phase of efforts to reorganize music curricula in the K-12 General Music program in Duval County, Florida. Following the Systems Approach for Education (SAFE) curriculum development model, a curriculum for the junior-high General Music course was designed, based on performance objectives. A teacher test booklet was…

This chapter focuses on a particular type of classroom teaching experiment that is conducted in collaboration with a practicing teacher. The first section discusses the theoretical orientation that underpins this methodology and outlines the types of problems that are addressed in the course of a classroom teaching experiment. The three central…

Reviews key ideas of action research in the past 15 years, particularly those of John Elliott. Describes and comments on the main characteristics of action research. Focuses on methodological and epistemological issues related to its practice. (CFR)