Six sets of data from previous studies are used to investigate the factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. In all 6 sets, the 22 inventory items divided between 2 clearly replicable factors. The larger, the Core of Burnout Factor, divides in turn into two equally replicable factors. (SLD)

Guidelines to help ensure that educational research is meaningful and important include (1) have confidence in your own conviction and methods; (2) remember that the conduct of research is an artistic activity; and (3) try to situate the inquiry in a social and historical context to increase its meaning. (SLD)

Effective presentations require planning what to say, identifying and selecting media needs, getting ready for the presentation, and attention to details that may influence it. Types of presentations include development projects, analytical papers and literature reviews, and research presentations. The goal in each case is to combine good content…

Seventh-grade students (n=397) were studied to determine the effect on immediate achievement and retention of a unit designed to promote the development of estimating skills involved in metric measuring. Identical metric instruction was used with the exception of activities in estimation for the treatment group. The treatment group retained…

Researchers are advised to work hard toward publishing articles where they will get full attention from the ablest professionals in the field. A second piece of advice is to interact with persons in the field of special research interest, and seek them out through publications and professional conferences. (SLD)

Suggests ways music teachers can improve their teaching and solve instructional problems by using existing research and conducting their own. Also offers strategies to help music district supervisors encourage effective use of research. Identifies several useful publications as sources of research reports. Includes a chart listing reasons and…

Examines trends in the certification, hiring, and assignment of minority teachers in New York City over the past decade, drawing on published data, interviews, and a survey of new teachers seeking jobs. In attempting to provide minority youth with role models, the city may be denying students equal access to fully qualified teachers. (DM)

Differences between national testing as discussed in the most recent report of the National Council on Education, Standards, and Testing, and by the Office of Technology Assessment are reviewed. National testing is not new, but the political use of nationally standardized achievement tests is a recent and dangerous trend. (SLD)

Presents a checklist designed to help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows critically analyze original research papers. (Author/WRM)

When parent-teacher conferences don't improve a problem student's behavior, a systematic change strategy is needed. Daily report cards are effective if they divide the day into segments, provide evaluations for each segment, feature increasingly demanding goals, provide parent reinforcement, use mild punishment, and accrue reinforcement rewards. A…

A national survey of elementary and secondary general education teachers (n=368, response rate of 52%) examined classroom grading practices, including grading adaptations for students with disabilities. Results indicated that teachers found certain adaptations (pass-fail grades, portfolios, multiple grades, and grading for effort) useful for…

Describes a collaborative writing project in which students must identify key variables, search and read relevant literature, and reason through a research idea by working closely with a partner. The end result is a polished laboratory report in the APA style. The class includes a peer review workshop prior to final editing. (MJP)

Describes science educators trying to effect systemic change as actors in a cultural field struggling to change it. Uses a conversational hermeneutic analysis of autobiographical writings to examine some of the salient features of bringing about change in science education. (Contains 35 references.) (Author/WRM)

Principals and business managers view their jobs and each other from differing perspectives as to time demands, priorities, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. Neither has supervisory authority over the other. Chief problems involve miscommunication, report deadlines, and failure to meet each other's expectations. Ameliorative suggestions…

Twenty-four meta-analyses in mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional/behavior disorders were reviewed and analyzed across six domains of information necessary for securing face validity of published meta-analyses. Wide variations that could influence summative results were found. Additionally, temporal analysis of 44 meta-analyses…