The state of the art of randomized social field experiments is discussed. Topics discussed include disciplines of primary actors involved in such research, scientific value of experimentation, the nation's capacity to conduct field experiments, and society's willingness to permit such experiments. (TJH)

Federal support for answers to the question "What is really going on out there?" has increased interest in the use of ethnography as a research method for evaluation of educational programs. Pros and cons of the use of ethnography for educational research are discussed. (PR)

Advocates using Britain's system of outdoor and field study centers will impact environmental education. The two main traditions in outdoor education have been field studies and outdoor pursuits. A suggested model for environmental education involves (1) raising awareness; (2) developing knowledge and understanding; (3) teaching skills of…

The activities of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in evaluating educational programs are described. Program evaluations are categorized as needs assessment, formative evaluation, or summative evaluation. Three classic efforts which illustrate the range of ETS' participation are the Pennsylvania Goals Study (1965), the Coleman Report--Equality of…

The proceedings of a 1979 Missouri symposium on doctoral programs in special education includes the texts of major addresses and position papers as well as summaries of conclusions of small working groups. The keynote speech by R. Erdman was entitled "Higher Education in the 1980's: Implications for Doctoral Programming." The speech deals with…