An analysis of the rationale, concepts and procedures for designing and implementing a model of decision-making for teachers engaged in developmental research is presented. The decision-making model is conceptualized as the intersection of four sets of data sources derived from the performance of preactive/planning tasks,…

The factors that influence the formation and development of teacher perspectives among preservice social studies teachers were studied. Answers were sought to two questions: (1) what linkages exist between the development of teacher perspectives and the experiences provided by university teacher education?; and (2) what role does the individual…

Dissemination of educational knowledge to practitioners can best be improved by creating contexts in which practitioners are able to participate in the research and in the interpretation of the knowledge gained through the research. It is noted that the distinctions between researchers and practitioners are beginning to break down, largely as a…

Offering a discussion for administrators and practitioners serving disabled and at-risk infants, toddlers, and their families, these three addresses explore issues, strategies, and models of program evaluation. "Major Issues in Program Evaluation," by Kathryn Barnard, discusses the purpose of, process of, and ways of doing program…

This report of the results of an evaluation of computer operations at the University of Honduras (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras) begins by discussing the problem--i.e., poor utilization of the campus mainframe computer--and listing the hardware and software available in the computer center. Data collection methods are summarized,…

Procedures and rationales for teacher appraisal are examined. The target-output model calls for agreed-upon objectives to be compared with professional work. The performance criteria model compares professional work to agreed criteria of competencies. A diagnostic model of appraisal of teacher needs and potentials is joined with the others in a…

The Collaborative Supervision Project involving the University of New Hampshire and several public schools is described. This paper addresses the university teacher education interest in enhancing supervisory effectiveness and the teacher education faculty during the initial planning stages and the development, demonstration, and dissemination…

The fundamentally psychological orientation of educational research over the years is now changing. The educational phenomenon is part of the institutional setting and, therefore, organizational restrictions and influences are being studied. In addition, the organizational approach to educational research carries the implication of a more holistic…

The Educators' Forum is a seminar for teachers which supports them as they carry out investigations in their classrooms and schools. The investigations include studies of classroom issues, action research projects, and studies of individual students. Each member of the forum is encouraged to choose a topic of interest or concern which is directly…

In 1985 the Arizona Legislature established a 5-year Career Ladder Program for teachers. The purpose of the pilot is to determine if student academic achievement is enhanced through recognizing and developing high levels of teacher performance and through a "promotion system based on comptence". The overall research and evaluation…

The Focus on Teacher Project worked in the field of primary teacher staff development. Its aim was to produce, from a platform of school-based research, INSET materials to suppport improvement in primary classroom teaching. The focus was specifically on teaching, rather than on other aspects of a teacher's professional work. The materials to be…

In recent years, pre-service teacher education has attempted to incorporate into programs an understanding of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences as it applies to schools. In this paper the tension between "learning about" multiple intelligences and "learning through" multiple intelligences supports Gardner's (1993)…

An approach to composition, involving group efforts to formulate solutions to real-world problems, is described. (JH)

A clear and present need exists for research in schools leading to defensible, reliable objective data for decision-making, as opposed to research on schools, which is generally limited to experimental methodology leading to "general truths." Reasons for an increasing need for in-school research are: (1) an increasingly sophisticated…

Aimed at encouraging rational decision making about drug use, a peer oriented drug education program was conducted in a community youth project. Youth and leaders shared feelings and knowledge about drugs. Compared with four program dropouts, six participants exhibited more positive attitudes toward the drug group, its leaders and themselves.…