Provides a framework for critiquing assumptions about the collaboration process, highlighting concepts of public space and power. Key issues are the private-public distinction and the "public space" metaphor. Collective spaces are made by groups (formal institutions or persons), who can debate with each other and act. (Contains 42…

Describes the problems and associated issues related to the implementation of integrated curriculum at the middle school level. Summarizes this journal issue's feature section, whose base was a conference proceeding and which includes an annotated list of recently published sources dealing with curriculum integration and relevant research studies.…

Examines recent organizational changes within Norway's teacher education, highlighting two state colleges and exploring: how teacher education leaders from the current and former systems perceive these changes and how they meet new challenges. Results from interviews with academic and administrative leaders are presented, emphasizing evaluation of…

Reviews the origins of the concept of cognitive style. Explores the fundamental applications of that style and relevant methods of assessment. Examines the distinction between style, which is likely to be relatively fixed, and strategies which are capable of being learned and developed. Discusses the relationship of style to learning preferences…

Hypothesizes that, if good teaching involves plans and activities derived from a clear philosophical view, as articulated by some philosophers of education, then it should be evident in the practice of teachers held to be outstanding. Describes how two outstanding teachers' classroom behaviors were congruent with their philosophies of teaching.…

Discusses the use of focus groups and surveys to examine the characteristics and needs of nontraditional teacher education students, explaining the importance of open lines of communication among students, faculty, and college administrators to ensure successful programmatic implementation. Data from Bradley University nontraditional students…

Mainstream practice in industrial arts is a study of skills needed to perform a trade, rather than a study of the relationship of industry to society. This article provides an overview industrial arts curricula (1870-present) and a review of contemporary research, highlighting positivism, resistance to change, constructivism, curriculum…

Examines multiple perspectives on current classroom practice in global education, including those of master teachers, practicing teachers, and preservice teachers. Notes some commonalities and differences of theories and practice across the three groups. Argues that the theories and practices of teachers can and should inform conceptual…

This article describes various research domains employed by Australian special education researchers and outlines significant examples of research studies. Three research priorities are identified that are gaining momentum, international collaborative projects, research with preservice teachers, and greater emphasis on contextual and sociological…

Describes the dialogue between an American researcher and others as she planned and carried out a study of women's literacy programs in rural Mali. Discusses the researcher's status in relation to the organization administering the programs, cultural differences in terms of researcher versus practitioner and Westerner versus African, and reasons…

Traces the different paradigmatic pathways followed by educational sociology and educational administration. Educational sociology has followed ideostructural, interpretive, and psychosocial paradigms, with emergent holistic critical perspectives and sociobiological materialism. Educational administration has had one dominant tradition,…

Examines unresolved problems and future prospects for research concerning school quality. Asserts that the proportion of variance among factors such as, school system, school type, grade levels, individual schools, and learning groups makes consideration of the schools as a homogenous whole doubtful. Includes numerous statistical tables and…

Although researchers have devoted little attention to how religion affects education, religion has always played a major role in education, and religious groups continue to attempt to influence curricula and practices in public schools. Successful educational reform will depend on considering religious and cultural factors in planning and…

Explored differences between a sample of highly productive scholars and a random sample of more typical scholars. Few demographic or institutional-responsibility differences emerged. Productive scholars were more oriented toward theory and research; more typical scholars focused on issues in the field. Research challenges were discussed. (Contains…

Presents findings from a two-year evaluation of a family literacy program in rural Appalachian Ohio. Demonstrates positive results for both impact/outcome and process objectives. Highlights an extensive network of interpersonal and interagency relationships that maximized resources and supported families as they changed. Suggests the importance of…