Critical and revisionist historians of American education have generated a model of education in a capitalist society that has a functionalist orientation. However, this model does not properly acknowledge the importance of society's contradictions, disjunctions, and incoherence in social and educational change. (FG)

The American Association of Dental Schools' policy statements on elements of preprofessional, predoctoral, advanced, continuing, and auxiliary education and research, and delivery of care are presented. Position papers on peer review, freedoms and responsibilities of individuals and institutions, national health programs, interdisciplinary…

This study, conducted by the staff of Minnesota Research and Evaluation Project (MREP), reports the results of several needs assessment procedures used with teachers and principals from a random sample of 224 schools from 13 western and midwestern states. (HM)

Discusses research concerns of the 1960s, including the heredity v environment controversy and compensatory strategies. Reviews the response to these concerns, particularly the focuses on child advocacy and ethnic issues, which have dominated research in the 1970s. Outlines an integrated (social, developmental, and applied) approach for the…

Discusses a number of ethical dilemmas encountered during different stages of qualitative research. Outlines problems specific to entering the field, being in the field, leaving the field, writing, and dissemination. Recounts an incident from ethnographic research that illustrates problems concerning conflicting roles and maintaining objectivity.…

Provides a brief overview of the uses of rhetoric in the history of writing about music. Discusses Aristotle's topology of the three different kinds of rhetoric: deliberative, judicial, and epideictic (demonstrative). Includes excerpts from past music criticism, copious notes, and a 27-item bibliography. (MJP)

Examines fundamental conceptions regarding the role and nature of evaluating and researching music education programs. Questions the common idea that evaluative criteria for programs should focus primarily on the students' level of musical skill. Argues that consideration should be given to personal growth and other issues. (MJP)

Examines preservice teachers' perceptions of music teaching, elementary students, musical content, and school contexts. Ninety preservice teachers responded to a series of experiences that included participating in a model lesson, observing an interview with a general music teacher, and discussing the components of educational experiences. (MJP)

Maintains that the entire field of adult music instruction outside of traditional education largely has been ignored by education researchers. Argues that this field is particularly productive in transmitting musical culture within ethnic communities. Identifies some of the organizations available: church choirs, community bands, singing groups,…

Discusses the reforms that must be made in researching Native American communities, and the importance of tribal college research in redefining the foundations of scholarship. Emphasizes the need for humility, generosity, and respect among native and nonnative scholars when studying American Indian communities. (YKH)

Reports on a series of programs designed to test the hypothesis that increasing student involvement in and understanding of social institutions combined with increased cognitive and social skills can decrease youth violence. The program combines law-related, conflict resolution, and service learning components with qualitative and quantitative…

Case studies of four long-term rural Oklahoma superintendents, including interviews with community leaders and school district personnel, identified characteristics and attributes that have contributed to the success of these superintendents: effective leadership and communication skills, an acute sense of community awareness, active involvement…

Identifies and discusses the elements and applications of learning from negative morality. Negative morality refers to the experience of learning from mistakes thereby creating a body of personal knowledge about "what not to do." This knowledge not only protects individuals but steers them to the right behavior. (MJP)

Recommends confronting the problem of validity in intercultural research by adopting research approaches that focus on the problem (for example, ethnopsychoanalysis, intercultural psychology). Briefly reviews the current debate on intercultural-comparative research. Concludes with examples and a discussion of the recent developments in comparative…

Analyzes the use of relevant international data to inform educational policy. Notes that such data can be used to extend research on school effects by incorporating comparative data, by evaluating the trade-offs involved in attempts to raise national achievement levels, and by broadening the range of international data. (MJP)