From the outset, the Teaching and Learning Research Programme gave significant importance to the meaningful involvement of users, who were expected not only to be trialling the outcomes of the research but also, more importantly, to be consulted in the process of formulating the project proposals and in the research process itself. This level of…

This chapter examines lessons learned by states that are using student unit record (SUR) data to improve outcomes for community college students and recommends steps states can take to strengthen their use of SUR databases to benefit students and communities. (Contains 1 exhibit.)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 places a strong emphasis on the use of student achievement test scores to measure school performance, and, throughout the United States, school and district education reform efforts are increasingly focusing on the use of student achievement data to make decisions about curriculum and instruction. To encourage…

The efforts of a large urban school district to apply research findings on effective elementary schools to improve the reading achievement of its low-income junior high school students were studied. The research objective was to create an ethnographic account of change. At the school district studied, the Comprehensive Reading/Language Arts…

There is a dichotomy of opinion regarding the merits and feasibility of ability grouping, and the issue is unsettled after much research and study. This research summary discusses grouping practices, the place of ability grouping in over-all school organization, schools' capacity for ability grouping, and the pros and cons of ability grouping,…

This paper describes a study which explored the variables of teacher knowledge of content, teacher attitude toward the content, and span of time with regard to implementation of selected teaching practices in the elementary classroom. The 32 elementary classroom teachers who comprised the sample received 2 days of training in instructional…

This analysis reveals critical weaknesses surrounding the theoretical basis for the AIR (American Institutes for Research) evaluation design. It poses questions concerning the evaluation methodology. Specifically, it identifies major discrepancies in the identification of the target population, the selection of comparable control groups, test…

An examination of the effect of intervention strategies utilized in the Research and Development Utilization (RDU) Program on school improvement outcomes was the subject of this document. The basic Federal/State approaches to support local school improvement efforts are a coercive/manipulative approach, direct support, or indirect support.…

An analysis of data collected from 30 urban districts indicates that there are encouraging developments in urban education which are exemplified by a number of successful programs. These include work-study programs, arts in education programs, programs which incorporate community resources, and alternative education programs. Five generalizations…

This report describes the initial planning, participant selection, and participant evaluation of 5 1970 American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) Research Training Sessions. All were designed specifically to improve the quality of research skills and competencies of trained counselor educators. The 5 sessions, each 5 days long, were…

Describes Research In Teacher Education (RITE), a staff development model that uses school district staff to train teachers and that identifies effective teaching and staff development practices. Information is presented on the model's characteristics and implementation, research contributing to the model, a field test, and San Diego's adoption of…

Recent work in the field of vocational education indicates that pooled data may be useful in (1) making decisions about the content of vocational education programs at orientation, exploratory, and preparatory levels, (2) evaluating the effects of vocational education on vocational maturity, and (3) teaching about career and curriculum…

Teacher education is defined as sets of activities intended to socialize candidates into the occupation of teaching. Ten parameters that affect and constitute teacher education are presented as a matrix which can be used to organize, synthesize, and analyze the research literature of teacher education. (FG)

A vacuum exists in the systematic collection of data on Continuing Education for Women (CEW). CEW programs must become accountable by maintaining records to demonstrate user patterns and program effectiveness. The author outlines specific suggestions for assessment, evaluation, and research; three areas which are integral to the mission of CEW…

This article identifies six core elements that have empirical support and should be included in instructional programs for students with autistic spectrum disorders. They are: (1) individualized supports and services; (2) systematic instruction; (3) comprehensible/structured learning environments; (4) specialized curriculum content; (5) functional…