The previous articles in this journal on social skills are examined for their implications for training and practice of school psychology. The author concludes that recent developments from studies of social competence and social skills provide increased opportunities for school psychologists to make progress in general areas. (Author/EGS)

Surveys research on role of audience in discourse in a series of related disciplines, including cognitive psychology, composition, speech communication, rhetoric, and philosophy. Concludes that writing teachers can achieve a sophisticated, complex understanding of nature and role of audience in written discourse only if they are aware of both…

Because research shows that children model themselves after the adults around them, the importance of the teacher as a role model is emphasized. Teachers and students should examine the lives and actions of role models of empathic behavior, and children need to become involved in their own prosocial action projects. (RM)

This monograph serves two purposes: (1) to stimulate further reflection and discussion among education leaders and policymakers to revitalize and strengthen the role that school leaders play in school reform; and (2) to assist researchers in identifying areas of future work. It synthesizes some of the most current literature pertinent to…

Shows how the concept of legitimacy and, in particular, the theoretical construct of compensatory legitimation as a determinant of policy strategies may be useful for the comparative analysis of educational policy in advanced capitalist societies. Uses examples of educational policy in the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. (BRR)

Reasons why teachers do not use educational research are summarized, and an interactive research and development project aimed at overcoming utilization problems is described. In the project, teachers, staff developers, and Texas Tech University researchers worked collaboratively to study problems and concerns of classroom teachers. (PP)

Discussing concepts presented in "Philosophy and Education: Eightieth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education," the author suggests an approach to knowledge-building that would make educational philosophers the synthesizers of interdisciplinary knowledge in the social sciences. Problems with existing conceptual…

Explores concerns about the functions of research and uses of research findings, examines the institutional context of research and some of the problems faced by social sciences, and identifies some possible approaches and changes in institutional structure which would strengthen the role and effectiveness of social scientists and rural…

Provides a detailed introduction to the variety of purposes for which evaluation research may be used and to the range of methods currently employed in the practice of that field. Uses specific examples, where appropriate, to provide concrete illustrations of both the goals of evaluation researchers and the methods used. (Author)

An alternative approach to the professional development of educators is described. This approach focuses on the interrelationship between teacher behavior and child behavior and their joint influence on the learning environment. Theory and practice in education are interactive concepts rather than discreet and isolated entities. (JN)

It is pointed out that researchers must articulate clearly both the implications of their data for policy and the limitations of those data. Both researchers and policy-makers should remember that each student is more than a collection of variables. (Author/AF)

Explores the nature and role of language teaching research, and teachers' perceptions of its relevance, draws a distinction between the classical top-down research paradigm and the initiation of research by teachers themselves, and suggests areas for further investigation based on teachers' responses to a questionnaire about such research.…

A review of higher education Portuguese language programs explores the characteristics of these programs between 1945 and 1979 and enrollment in the 1980s. A discussion focuses on how recent developments in French and Spanish applied linguistics and new teaching methodologies and materials will affect the future development of such programs. (CB)

Education, as a field of research, is not clear-cut, well-defined and delimited; it encompasses humanities and behavioral and social sciences. Although expectations about educational research outcomes helping to frame policy and improve practice are frequently unrealistic, the different methodological approaches are not necessarily in conflict.…

Wong has argued that the role of the teacher/researcher is full of conflict in that the pull of either students or research may affect commitment to the other. It is argued that research is not inherently conflictual, but that one teacher/researcher's tension is another's intention. (SLD)