In 1887, Congress passed the Hatch Act, which formally established and provided a funding mechanism for agricultural experiment stations in each state and territory in the United States. The main purpose of agricultural experiment stations is to conduct agricultural research to meet the needs of the citizens of the United States. The objective of…

The National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) affirms that the construct of learning disabilities represents a valid, unique, and heterogeneous group of disorders, and that recognition of this construct is essential for sound policy and practice. An extensive body of scientific research on learning disabilities continues to support…

This article provides commentary on the five articles in this issue on large-scale interventions in science education for diverse student groups in varied educational settings. Using these articles as a point of departure, I discuss three challenges to science education research and practice. The first concerns the changed meaning of science…

Legislation such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and its reauthorization, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, mandate that evidence-based practices be used in schools. In fact, NCLB requires that "scientifically-based research" be the basis for classroom practices…

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-358) was put in place to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes. The table of contents for this Act is as follows: (1) Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; (2) Sec. 2. Definitions; and (3)…

We argue that the existence of the gap is perhaps a result of an overallegiance to the medical model and the lack of measurable criteria regarding the definition of an educated and psychologically healthy student. Further, an additional and equally daunting problem for school psychological practice is that it is influenced by general education…

Educational software makers are often rebuffed by educational authorities, whose endorsements could lead to governmental stamps of approval, and thus explosive sales. But they usually get warmer receptions in the offices of the nation's school superintendents, who are, after all, their primary customers. The system was not supposed to work this…

Presented are detailed statistical tables showing research and development (R&D) levels for the fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981, reported by 95 federal agencies in the 1979 March-May period. In the tables, data for 1979 are considered to be actual; data for 1979 and 1980 are estimated. Historical data for the years 1971-1981 are contained in…

The 29th in a series that covers Federal research and development (R&D) funding as it evolves from one budget cycle to the next, this report discusses agency R&D funding levels for fiscal year 1981. This analysis reports relative changes in broad R&D and basic research categories, 1981 compared with 1980, and also some agency changes…

In this keynote address presented at the Mid-western Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in October, 2004, the author discusses the increasing interest of federal policy-makers in scientifically-based research. A comparison between education and other disciplines is offered, and a proposal for increased rigor in educational research is…

This report, prepared in response to a requirement in the Academic Research Facilities Modernization Act, proposes a plan for the modernization of general research facilities in which academic research is conducted, including research buildings, research laboratories, support rooms, and other institutional or departmental facilities in scientific…

Provided are papers and speeches presented at the Seventh Annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Colloquium on Research and Development (R&D) Policy. Presenters included key representatives of Congress, the Reagan administration, government agencies, and those involved in industry and university R&D. Major areas…

Outlines issues that could arise in a debate on the appropriate role of government in supplying scientists with the access to data and information technology necessary for their research. Some of the areas explored include electronic dissemination of information, federal support mechanisms, international competition, and access to information.…