Outlines the process by which the government of Alberta (Canada) has compelled educational institutions to accept the introduction of a performance-based funding mechanism in spite of the substantial loss of autonomy the new process entails. Implications of the change are explored, and reasons for it are suggested. (Author/SLD)

Observes that recent work in hermeneutics and education posits a religious dimension to education on this model. Draws on Hans-Georg Gadamer to explore: What is "hermeneutics?" and what is its relation to education? What accounts for the purportedly religious character of hermeneutic education? and, How are religious aspects of education…

Examines the limits of what constitutes "school improvement." Critically assesses whether large-scale reorganization initiatives in two (British) local education agencies embody elements of a school-improvement initiative. Policy makers could maximize such initiatives' potential by incorporating a school-improvement focus into their…

A national survey examined similarities and differences across state agencies, especially departments of special education and vocational rehabilitation, concerning their definitions and eligibility for services to individuals with learning disabilities. Analysis utilized a conceptual framework consisting of 21 components. Significant differences…

Explains how and why the economics concept "value added" came to be used in an educational context, focusing on early usage in the United Kingdom. The term has been developed, used, and defined in various, conflicting ways. Some ambiguities cannot be eliminated. Value-added effectiveness measures involve value judgments. (44 references)…

Discusses theoretical and practical issues connected with implicit and explicit learning of languages. Explicit learning is knowledge expressed in the form of rules or definitions; implicit knowledge can be inferred to exist because of observed performance but cannot be clearly described. Hypothesizes why explicit learning can lead to implicit…

Analyzes and documents classification issues as part of the assessment of data quality in the Common Core of Data (CCD). Focuses on the Public Elementary/Secondary Education Agency Universe Survey. Indicates shortcomings in the definitions used for the CCD. (SLD)

A study investigated the impact of the American Association on Mental Retardation's 1992 manual that provided an alternative approach to mental retardation definition and classification. Forty-four states indicated they based their guidelines on the 1983 manual, four states reported using the 1992 manual, and three used neither model. (Contains…

Suggests that doing literary criticism is how teachers and students hear other voices as they read, instead of projections of themselves. Espouses the study of style as the vehicle of literary criticism. Proposes a definition of style. (RS)

This rejoinder to criticism of a previous article defends the Columbus Group definition of giftedness and talent by comparing and contrasting this definition with Gagne's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent. Thresholds of giftedness and talent, including generalizability and clinical experience that support the Columbus Group definition,…

Three databases were analyzed to investigate the range and frequency of terms in the field of mental retardation/developmental disabilities. The most prevalent term over the last 15 years was "mentally retarded." The terms "cognitive impairment" and "developmental disabilities" have been used more frequently in the last five years. (Author/CR)

Analysis of 30 elementary teachers' personal meaning of "intelligence" resulted in development of a three-component model: (1) acquisition performance (how much students learn), (2) retention performance (how much material students remember), and (3) utilization performance (how extensively students utilize learned material). Path analysis…

If technology is to be integrated into the school curriculum, the meaning of educational leadership and the role of principals within a technical paradigm must be redefined. Principals are responsible for defining and communicating a mission, managing curriculum and instruction, training and evaluating teachers, monitoring student progress,…

The corpus of errors produced by nonnative adult speakers of English support Miller and Gildea's (1987) KIDRULE strategy. Some dictionary users latched onto a part of the definition without understanding how it relates to the word they looked up. Other errors were the result of misleading dictionary entries. (Contains 11 references.) (Author)

Reflects on the definition of experiential education as formulated by the Association for Experiential Education, and on past and future themes of the Journal of Experiential Education. Cites the proliferation of education programs focusing on environmental and ecological concepts. Discusses the need for continuing research in experiential…