Describes a study exploring the social dynamics within a typical preschool classroom that included a 3-year-old with severe visual impairments. Notes findings that this child was an active participant in shared social experiences with his peers, which contributed to his membership and acceptance. Discusses adult mediation and interpretation of the…

Reports on a nationwide quantitative survey of academic staff use of the Internet in Australia. Topics include reasons for a mailed survey; daily use of email; access to the internet via remote dial-in services; technical support provided to academics; opportunities for further research; and implications for university administrators. (Author/LRW)

This article examines research on classroom-based interventions as they relate to promoting inclusion and addresses challenges facing the special education field, including the increasing diversity of the children served and of early childhood service delivery systems. The need to expand the research base on effective instructional approaches is…

Reviews the state of scholarly social science resources on the Web, describing selected search engines and Web sites. Discusses advantages and disadvantages for information retrieval; using meta-indexes; connecting to research centers; and suggests strategies for more effective retrieval. (AEF)

Provides definitions of various types of studies used to measure the impact of interventions with children having speech, language, and hearing disorders. Describes studies initiated by the American Speech Language Hearing Association to evaluate various interventions. (DB)

Emphasizes the importance of collecting data on the prevalence of specific communication disorders in children and data on both the short-term and long-term impact of speech/language interventions in the schools. (Author/DB)

Two decades after two U.S. and UK studies jump-started the school-effectiveness research movement, the American Educational Research Association invited the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement to present a symposium on international developments. The six papers herein critique and assess the movement's contributions.…

Presents a simple framework for (1) demonstrating how households determine schooling investments through choice and voice; and (2) considering effects of decentralization on household behaviors, given information problems. Some aspects of decentralization may increase efficiency; others may be neutral or decrease efficiency. Further research is…

This article discusses the successes of behavior analysts in affecting challenging behaviors in persons with developmental disabilities. Three future issues are then addressed: the development of challenging behaviors, the role of rule-governance in challenging behavior, and the behavior of persons who directly apply functional assessment and…

Important work of Daniel Goleman, Peter Salovey and John Mayer on emotional intelligence (EI) is discussed to illustrate recent theorizing on EI. The article discusses conceptual and measurement problems that presently challenge the usefulness of the EI construct and urges further research. (Author/CR)

More teachers are conducting research that benefits both administrators and students. Well-trained teacher-researchers can turn their questions into researchable problems, collect and analyze data, and use findings to create knowledge and "informed action." Teacher-research is notable for savoring the particular, rather than reaching for…

Discusses the need to develop the concept of user-based relevance for the benefit of users and for the meaningful development of future research in information retrieval. Characteristics of users' criteria of relevance are examined; and research methodology models are considered, including naturalistic inquiry versus scientific, or rationalistic,…

Critically examines three propositions of Harris' group socialization theory (1995, 1998) related to parents' long-term effects on children's psychological characteristics, peer groups' influences, and the nature of dyadic relationships. Maintains that available evidence is more consistent with a model of multiple socialization agents. Proposes a…

Maintains that Montessori education must regain its dynamism by recognizing barriers that separate Montessori from mainstream educational thinking and entering into meaningful dialog with other educators. Suggests ways to improve understanding of Montessori's basic principles and practices and their current relevance, including defining core…

Explains that educational research in social studies must identify the practices contributing to children's well-being. Argues that research in social studies should be conducted within real school settings and must focus on the consequences of educational practice for children's development. (CMK)