Explicates the principles underlying whole-language theory and practice to reduce misunderstandings and misapplications and to help teachers of students with learning disabilities provide rich literacy learning experiences for their students. (RS)

Presents 1993 Kent Lecture. Largely autobiographical lecture focuses on three themes: (1) Aging and Society Paradigm: The Roots--1968 On; (2) National Institute on Aging's Behavioral and Social Research Program--1979 On; and (3) Probing the Future--1993 On. Concludes that gerontological vision is needed if future is to improve upon past. (NB)

Discusses how four teachers with similar beliefs teaching at two different schools catering to radically different school populations altered their teaching practice to fit the specific culture of their school. Reviews existing research on theory practice relationship and calls for further research on the role of classroom context. (RS)

Defines absenteeism and characteristic patterns, discusses two competing views of employee absence behavior, applies Steers and Rhodes' process model of employee attendance to teaching, and examines two unsuccessful attendance incentive plans. Districts are advised to avoid quick fixes and develop clear guidelines, computerize teacher attendance…

This commentary criticizes a paper by E. Zigler and others (EC 231 901) which concerned normalization and social role valorization of mentally retarded individuals. The commentary notes the paper's meager reference to the writings of W. Wolfensberger and its failure to properly analyze the "problem" of normalization as a concern with…

Identifies six questions that have been insufficiently explored by instructional communication researchers. Reveals that the limited approach to inquiry has had the effect of privileging existing social and political arrangements. (MG)

To be of value to practitioners, research must be personalized and dictated by the occurrence of events, exploratory, inductive, and grounded in practice. Submodels in which (1) research agendas are suggested independently by theory and by practice or (2) practice leads to research that leads to theory will enable practitioners to engage in…

Questionnaires returned by 92 of 127 British teacher-researchers and interviews with 12 revealed the following: (1) sharing of findings was hindered by the individualistic culture of teaching; (2) teacher-researchers preferred working within the system to effect change; and (3) the values and processes of teacher research can create a more…

Demonstrates the prevalence of the problem of educators consensual, conventional characterization of language. Suggests an alternative, more dynamic way to describe social groups, and shows how this alternative can be used in the writing classroom. (PRA)

Describes "SwampLog," an action-research journal process useful for recording and reflecting upon ongoing experience, exploring and creating innovative approaches to education, and gauging the resultant effects upon organizational, instructional, and individual renewal. (PRA)

Assesses nature of typical dilemmas confronting educational administrators through two-phase study of principals' ethical conflicts. When facing ethical dilemmas, principals tend to weigh competing alternatives against societal norms in determining courses of action. However, principals feel that other administrators are more likely to act in…

Art plays an integral role in civilizing society and its members. Through the visual arts we can directly comment on the human condition and begin to comprehend the complexity of our species and our multicultural and mutlilayered society. This article discusses how the arts' civilizing power can inform the education of all children. (15…

Emphasis on technological precision and methodological sophistication in the field of applied behavior analysis has brought about a deemphasis of theoretical and philosophical concerns. For theoretical development of the field to move ahead, applied behavior analysts must develop the principles needed to describe ways of predicting and controlling…

There should not be an intentional reduction of the technological focus in applied behavior analysis research to expand the theoretical focus. The manner in which applied behavior analysis has beneficially affected the field of developmental disabilities services demonstrates how technologically related research plays a necessary role. (JDD)

Examines the impact of a secondary reading course on two preservice teachers' beliefs about reading instruction and on their actual classroom practices. Finds that, although both students understood central course messages, there was little actual application of these theories in classroom settings. Suggests ideas for change. (SR)