The present survey research's purpose was to continue shaping the makeup of practitioner journal articles within the education field. Practitioner-focused articles have been suggested as vehicles to translate research into practice. One hundred and thirty-four preservice teacher education candidates were asked to indicate what they thought should…

Although evidence-based practices are considered critical to student success, a research-to-practice gap exists. This qualitative study examined practicing special education teachers' perceptions of their use of evidence-based practices. Special education teachers were interviewed and their classroom practices examined. Major themes emerged and…

These thoughts, by the author of a paper (EC 611 426) on having students self-record their success in meeting teachers' expectancies, examine the role of theory in guiding research and practice and the replicability of research on self-management behaviors in various special-needs populations. (DB)

Seven critical statements about special education are shown to actually demonstrate the positive aspects of special education and the importance of linking research and practice. Critical statements address special education as a separate system, as a system that stigmatizes students, as having no effective methods, and as returning few students…

This article reviews the current status of the behavior disorders field in the context of increasing criticisms of special education generally. It notes critical issues within the field and reviews its strengths, contributions, notable achievements, and capacity to produce high quality research. Challenges such as the need to translate research…

This review of the history of learning disabilities (LD) suggests that creation of the LD category has served scientific, if not always, policy purposes. It finds that 40 years of research have produced inventive, creative tools that benefit both investigation and intervention and, most importantly, a better understanding of individual…

This article discusses teachers' ability to discriminate between effective and ineffective practices in terms of some etiological macrosystem influences and possible sequelae in practice that determine likely outcomes for teaching children and youth with disabilities. The relationship between high discriminative ability and efficient and effective…

Discussion of school-to-work (STW) transitions for youth with mild disabilities first summarizes current research and models of practice on STW transition in special education, then identifies implicit yet infrequently named theories in research and practice, makes connections to STW theories outside special education, and suggests how emerging…

This article argues that to reduce adaptation of questionable interventions more emphasis needs to be placed on the history of special education, specifically effective and ineffective interventions. It further suggests that educators more familiar with special education history will be better prepared to discriminate effective from ineffective…

This reflection by the first author of Evans et al. (EC 609 934) on the efficacy of notetaking skills to improve behavior and comprehension of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stresses the importance of integrating mental health and educational interventions and difficulties in translating results of applied research on…

This commentary discusses concerns related to special education research, particularly the research-to-practice gap in the United States. It contends that by addressing problems associated with teacher education, teacher attrition, and teacher shortage in special education, great strides can be made in closing the gap. (Contains references.)…

This article suggests that much of the full inclusion movement is permeated by radicalism rejecting the empirical. It finds that the full inclusion movement has influenced special education to a degree disproportionate to its claims of efficacy. The article discusses the ideological underpinnings, consequences, and rhetoric of the movement and…

This article describes the governmental and cultural contexts for educational research in Botswana and the important role research plays in the development of educational policies. The effects of limited resources are illustrated in several examples regarding special education and other services for children and adults with disabilities. (Contains…

This article describes problems affecting special education services in developing counties where economic challenges have harsh consequences on health, education, and welfare and force difficult ethical choices. Special education efforts in Ecuador are used as examples to describe inherent problems and give inspiration toward developing potential…

To illustrate the impact of research on the performance and quality of life of individuals with disabilities, this article highlights three research areas supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): (1) at-risk infant programs; (2) learning strategy interventions for adolescents with learning disabilities; and (3)…