In response to the legislative mandate and the increasing need for timely and high-quality data by policymakers at various levels, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has initiated a number of actions, programs, and surveys to improve the amount and quality of education information. To improve the relevance of data, the NCES has…

This report considers the various facets of metacognition and their relation to adult literacy. The first section provides definitions of literacy and discusses the issue of single versus multiple factor hypotheses. The second section looks at the foundation of research on metacognition and literacy development in children. It examines whether…

This study tested two hypotheses: (1) that significant differences exist, across academic levels, in science teachers' conceptions about the nature of learning; and (2) that corresponding differences exist in how science teachers formulate, carry out, and monitor instruction/classroom activities, and in the kinds of study activities they encourage…

Before the cognitive shift in educational psychology, research on teaching practices that brought about desired student outcomes were dominated by the process-product research program, a confirmative approach in which researchers attempt to discover relationships between teaching behaviors (the process) and learning outcomes of students (the…

This issue of UNESCO's "Education for All: Making It Work" shows how the SHAPE project's message of autonomy has been translated into productive work, community participation, emphasis on local context, self-reliance and innovations. Since 1987, the Self-Help Action Plan for Education (SHAPE) in Zambia reflects a new philosophy…

This paper summarizes responses of students in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 4, and 5 to questions about Native Americans. The paper draws on findings from two studies, both done in a suburban school system deemed "average" on a variety of educational and socioeconomic indicators. In each study, samples of students stratified by gender…

From 1988 through 1995 a group of researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education collaborated with teachers from nearby schools on research to address questions about teaching for understanding and linking research with practice. They describe the theoretical foundations underlying the Teaching for Understanding framework, the process and…

A project was conducted to examine the impact of vocational education and training (VET) research on decision making in VET in Australia. Data were collected from the following: a literature review; a symposium attended by state-, territory-, and national-level VET policymakers and planners and VET providers; semistructured telephone interviews…

This is a study of the outcomes of the professional development initiative implemented in 1993 by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). It attempts to answer the question of whether faculty participation in structured professional development activities results in significant improvements in teaching. The primary objective of the study was…

The challenges and problems in both designing and conducting research on distance learning courses are considered in light of the present cyberspace revolution. This paper discusses: the future possibilities of Internet-based learning; assumptions of online courses which are usually embedded in constructivist and socio-constructivist theories and…

Parents in affluent communities have been following the suggestion of research and delaying kindergarten entry of their young age-eligible children in order to increase the likelihood of the child's academic success. This study examined the correlation between the chronological age of a child entering kindergarten and his or her performance on…

This report summarizes Scottish research during 1995 which aimed to assess the take-up, knowledge, understanding, and use of the National Record of Achievement (NRA) in all sectors. The survey found a lack of awareness of the NRA among employers and colleges. One recommendation from the report is for future development and promotion of the NRA in…

This document contains 46 papers presented at a conference on business education teaching and research. Representative papers include the following: "Assessment of Information Technology Needs of Business Education Teachers" (Donna H. Redmann et al.); "A Comparison of Workforce Skills: North Carolina Industry Leaders' Perceptions…

In the 1995 National Household Education Survey, adults were asked about six types of adult education activities: English as a second language, basic skills education, postsecondary credential programs, apprenticeships, work-related courses, and personal development courses. About 22 percent of adults reported participating in work-related…

A study determined elements to be included in developing a resource manual to assist radiologic technologists in completing quality management (QM) activities in diagnostic imaging. The study included these parts: a literature review; survey to assess effectiveness, content features, and improvement of six categories of resource materials…