This report describes an effective instructional technique for advancing reading comprehension through a balanced reading program. The targeted population consisted of third- and eighth-grade students from three middle class communities located in the south suburbs of Chicago. Reading comprehension concerns were documented through data obtained…

A problem was addressed within the context of the action based research practicum model. The problem was junior high school special education students who read at or below the 10th percentile when compared to age appropriate peers on standardized achievement instruments; and who have had all manner of reading interventions and yet continue to fall…

This study focused on using technology to supplement a phonics based reading program. The research took place in a transition class (a class between kindergarten and first grade for students who are not mature enough for first grade but who do not need to repeat kindergarten) in Knox County (Tennessee) Schools. The class was divided into two…

The Australian Catholic University has developed a collaborative project for one of its personnel to move into a school to take responsibility for some of the school's professional development programs and to conduct action based research related to the project. One key aim of the project is to develop literacy skills across the curriculum for the…

This dissertation investigates action planning and plan goals, primarily from the perspective of the school. The principal research questions were the following: (1) Do principals plan and act locally to implement global policy strategically envisioned by district policymakers? Or (2) Do they plan and act locally in response to local needs and…

Reasons why teachers do not use educational research are summarized, and an interactive research and development project aimed at overcoming utilization problems is described. In the project, teachers, staff developers, and Texas Tech University researchers worked collaboratively to study problems and concerns of classroom teachers. (PP)

Action research refers to research activities carried out by educational field personnel with the objective of forming a link between researchers and practitioners. A study is described in which 133 Israeli students were trained to perform diagnostic action research. (Author/JN)

First in a series, this article describes the rise and fall of John Adams High School, an experimental school in Portland (Oregon) that was recently closed after 12 years of operation. The experiences of those who tried to make the experiment work may help others interested in educational innovation. (WD)

This paper outlines two broad paradigms of action research referring to early education programs: (1) summative evaluation through quantitative group comparisons of intelligence and achievement, and (2) formative evaluation through process-oriented observational methods with an emphasis on qualitative information. (CM)

Presents the case for employing an action research framework for curriculum development in The Netherlands. Argues that this bottom-up strategy can be effective because many teachers are willing to refine and modify their practices. (DDR)

Describes action research that helped a school community recover from a music teacher's suicide. Summarizes an external counselor's advice to the principal and various stages of coping with trauma, dealing with loss, and negotiating a new stable state. Finds the principal central to the politics of grief. Explores an educative grief management…

Case studies of the University of Leeds' action research projects in the local community illustrate the use of mainstream and other sources of funding to fulfil a social purpose agenda. Recent funding changes may jeopardize community-based adult education, despite rhetoric about universities and their communities. (SK)

Reports on a one-year action research study at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) which explored processes by which a cohort of postgraduate teacher trainees learned personal information and communication technology (ICT) skills. Discusses learning strategies reported by students in interviews; considers previous experience and software…

Presents an action research project that explains the process creating a digital language experience (D-LEA) in Australian kindergarten and year 1 classrooms. Contends that D-LEA incorporates all the best aspects of the language experience approach, with the added advantage of teaching children to use digital literacies. (PM)

This study is an ex post facto story of critical decisions in which an instructor improved instructional practice and his students (n=104) gained confidence in their ability to make use of a powerful teaching strategy. This action research study concerned improving the quality of a secondary science teaching methods course. (Author/MVL)