The authors of a new book on the relationship of discourse and French language instruction, bringing different language backgrounds and professional perspectives to the issue of language teaching theory and practice, are interviewed. Discussion focuses on the role of discourse analysis in language teaching. (MSE)

A Canadian research project with English-as-a-Second-Language teachers indicates that Hutchinson's "process model" seems to capture the way in which second-language teaching takes place. The significant role played by teachers in interpreting curricula and determining classroom learning experiences is noted. (four references) (LB)

Discusses the changes taking place in music education and how they will affect the training of future music teachers. Suggests that teachers should be prepared to present music in a general yet varied format. Includes the necessity of promoting musical experiences and appreciation of musical events in desired curriculum changes. (DK)

Reiterates the author's convictions about the inadequacy of mainstream educational research. If perceptual control theory is correct in positing a closed-loop, negative feedback relationship between individuals and their environments, then current and mainstream educational research is not adequate for explaining purposeful behavior. (SLD)

Discusses what the proper professional role of teachers should be in relation to others involved in the educational process as a whole and what provision should be made to sustain and develop teachers in that role. An annotated bibliography is included. (44 references) (LET)

Research and practice are not necessarily separate. Teacher educators should define research as disciplined, reflective inquiry into practice. Drawing upon current conceptions and practices in teacher education, the article defines an approach to research on practice and presents a rationale for reflective inquiry into teacher education. (SM)

Investigates K-7 teachers' attitudes, beliefs, and instructional decisions about process writing. Finds that most teachers (1) understand that writing is primarily a communication act; (2) received instruction in process writing and use strategies associated with process writing for instruction; and (3) are progressing toward a level of…

Two kinds of teaching/learning theories in higher education, formal and informal, are examined critically. It is argued that the contribution of formal theory is often ignored in favor of an amateur approach to instructional improvement driven by institutional imperatives, the rewarding of compliance over risk taking, and trivialization of the…

Discusses the meaning of being a teacher-researcher, emphasizing the need to involve teachers in research to link theory and practice and noting how participant observation helps them inquire into practice. Practitioner-researcher examples from teachers involved in a graduate research course are presented. The cases support and explicate…

This article examines student retention in grades, presenting five suggestions for dealing with the fact that it continues despite evidence that it is not beneficial. Strategies include closing the gap between research and practice, implementing remediation programs, implementing success strategies, and restructuring classroom organization. (SM)

Based on experiences in working with school district staff, suggestions for enhancing evaluation use through stakeholder involvement are discussed in terms of who should be involved, when involvement should occur, and how stakeholders should be involved via a dialogue-dependent process. (SLD)

Describes women's studies as the academic outgrowth of the women's movement. Assesses the influence of feminism on educational structures and on theory and practice in education and psychology. Considers the role of feminist scholarship in the construction of knowledge, and the implications of the ideas explored by feminist scholars. (DMM)

Argues the necessity of analyzing the relations between educational theories and educational practice. Points out the unstated theories and assumptions about modernization, economic development, educational policymaking, and human motivations that underlie Psacharopoulos's comparative education "solutions" to developing nations' education…

Argues that the development of scholarly skills is missing from advanced preparation in educational administration. Inquiry, analysis, and writing are essential professional skills. Weak scholarship derives from simplistic emulation of social science disciplines, equation of research with scholarship in educational administration, and the new…

This rejoinder to several commentaries on a paper (EC 231 901) on the theory-practice relationship in the care and education of mentally retarded individuals discusses the degree to which setting is the service versus a part of the service, differences between researchers and practitioners, and the role of science and scientists. (JDD)