The purpose of this research is to showcase the process of a local Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) with possible policy implications by analyzing teacher attrition patterns over many years. The RPP is a collaboration between a principal, the practitioner, and statistic students, the researchers. All groups were graduate-level students at the…

This article introduces a series of 12 papers on mathematics instruction for students with learning disabilities (LD). It discusses educational trends that have implications for mathematics instruction, research in LD and mathematics instruction, and components of effective mathematics instruction. Tables summarize the standards of the National…

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…

Provides observations on current trends in the environment to which the dissemination of child development and early education knowledge is directed, and presents issues related to the dissemination of knowledge to practitioners. Closes with a discussion on some implications of these trends and issues. (BB)

This paper identifies trends in the population of students with learning disabilities (LD) in the public schools and explores reasons for these trends. It notes that there has been a 198 percent increase in the number of children served as LD between 1976-77 and 1992-93 due to a lack of consensus on the definition of LD and school-level processes…

The author, the 1996 winner of the Council for Exceptional Children Research Award, reviews trends in research and changes in special education over the past 25 years. Emphasis is on the continued need for research on learning disabilities and ways to ensure that research findings are translated into practice. (DB)

The role of research in the future of special education is discussed. The impact of research on practice is exemplified in the rise of the mainstreaming movement from research findings unable to find benefits in special class instruction for the mildly handicapped. The continuing ambivalence of the practitioner toward research is noted. The past…

Sixty-four authorities on gifted education responded to five questions about issues in the field of gifted education. Common responses were: a need for consensus on how to define, conceptualize, and identify giftedness; new procedures to increase the representation of gifted minority students; and the importance of translating research on…

This collection of 15 essays provides a state of the art report on research activities in higher education since the early 1980s. It includes: (1) "Research on Higher Education: Global Perspectives" (Philip G. Altbach); (2) "Research on Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa" (Corbin Michel Guedegbe); (3) "Research on…

Reflections on the field of special education find a continuing gap between research and practice, especially in serving students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. It urges increasing public awareness of the reality of emotional and behavioral disorders, improving special education teacher training and establishing professional…

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 monograph reviews the research in linkages between schools and families of children with disabilities. An introductory section offers vignettes showing a typical school/home relationship of a family with a Down syndrome child in either 1958, 1978, or 1998. Part 1 considers what research has found about family functioning in terms of the…

As part of a 3-year study to identify emerging issues and trends in technology for special education, this paper addresses the implications of very large scale integrated (VLSI) technology. The first section reviews the development of educational technology, particularly microelectronics technology, from the 1950s to the present. The implications…

This paper addresses critical questions concerning the educational needs of African American students with behavior disorders. These include: the historical context; effects of reform and restructuring movements on this population; the unresolved issue of defining "seriously emotionally disturbed" or "emotional or behavior…

Summarizes key characteristics of whole language. Theoretical views of learners, teachers, language, and curriculum are explicated. The strong research base for whole language is considered. Potential research on whole language classrooms is discussed. (BB)