The use of research evidence to inform practice has become an expectation of those working in many professions. There is a dearth of research on teacher use of scholarship to inform their practice. While there is an abundance of research that can be used to inform teacher practice, there are unknowns about how much teachers seek, access, read,…

The demand for students to continue studying STEM subjects at post-16 and higher education levels remains high. Since the curriculum reforms in Science and Mathematics across phases in England were initiated in 2014, uncertainty remains on the impact that these reforms will have on students and teachers as the reforms continue to be implemented…

The field of education is progressively building capacity and tools for producing rigorous research evidence to use in improving educational practice and outcomes. The knowledge base is lacking, however, in explicating the dynamics of research-based decision making and exploring connections between the work of research-practice partnerships and…

This paper critically examines the application of research into cognitive neuroscience to educational contexts. It first considers recent warnings from within the neuroscientific community itself about the limitations of current neuroscientific knowledge and the urgent need to dispel popular "neuromyths" which have become accepted in…

A major tenet of both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act is the identification and use of evidence-based practices, or those instructional techniques shown by research as most likely to improve student outcomes meaningfully. However, much confusion exists regarding the meaning and potential…

Using evidence-based practices, or those instructional techniques shown by research to improve student outcomes meaningfully, increases the performance of students with disabilities and should therefore be a priority for special educators. But how does a practice come to be considered evidence based? The unique characteristics of group…

In response to recent trends and legislation, the concept of implementing evidence-based practices has become a critical component of contemporary schooling. It is important that teachers and families of students with disabilities understand the role that qualitative research plays in determining whether a practice is in fact evidence based.…

Research in the field of special education often incorporates single-subject designs to investigate the effectiveness of educational practices for students with disabilities. As such, it is important that educators and educational professionals understand the characteristics of single-subject research methodologies and how those characteristics…

The enthusiastic acceptance of Madeline Hunter's ideas is worrisome, according to Slavin, because of the large-scale, mandated implementation of a stripped-down formula version of her principles. Hunter defends her work and argues that teachers should be free to use their own creativity. (MT)

This digest looks at research findings and instructional applications of effective teacher presentation skills. Research has identified five critical skills: eliciting frequent responses, maintaining an appropriate pace during the lesson, maintaining attention, monitoring student responses and adjusting the lesson, and ensuring all students an…

A review of recent literature on both theoretical and research findings on the application of research to improve classroom instruction is offered. (DF)

Effective teaching practices identified through research stress the search for meaning and can therefore serve as a foundation for teaching thinking, despite grade-level and subject matter differences in content, teacher role, engagement time, and outcomes sought. Effective teaching is structured, interactive, and conducted in a positive learning…

In reaction to presentations at the Airlie House Conference on the Implications of Research on Teaching for Practice, two papers (by O. Smith and N. L. Gage, respectively) discuss how far research on teaching has come as a field, while a third (by G. D. Fenstermacher) explains how implications of research on teaching can be used. (MP)

Experimental, descriptive, and philosophical music education research projects have implications and benefits for practitioners. The Music Educators National Conference (MENC) provides assistance for understanding, applying, and conducting research. Future research will focus on the problems of music learning. (Author/AM)

Commentary from the point of view of an applied psychologist considers the findings of five papers in this special issue on cognitive development, exploring how the contributions of each study or analysis could be used in real instruction. Some areas on which to focus applied research are discussed. (SLD)