Formative feedback systems live at the heart of systemic school improvement efforts. Without accurate and timely information on the results of intended interventions, school leaders and teachers fly blind in their efforts to link what they expect to what actually happens in their schools. This paper draws on the results of a 5-year National…

This article explores ways in which evidence contributes to individual thought and to the formation of shared knowledge and shared decisions. It also distinguishes among sources of evidence intended to attribute causality and those designed merely to describe. It is based on data from a naturalistic study of 16 school districts. (BW)

Reports on an international research census of design schools to determine the character of graphic design research and to learn about specific projects; notes that the census generated the contents for this journal issue. Discusses the status of graphic design research and the need for development of a structure for understanding graphic design.…

Reviews the principles of the behavioral model of learning and discusses the need to incorporate these principles in the development of educational software programs. Criteria for evaluating software programs based on their inclusion of behavioral principles are provided, and the evaluations of six available programs based on these criteria are…

Presents a critical rejoinder to Stedman's article that dismisses the validity of school effectiveness guidelines. Stedman has misused school effectiveness research findings, for the data actually support these characteristics. Stedman's generalized alternatives lack adequate supportive evidence. (CJH)

The papers in this monograph are grouped by the five session topics of the Using Research Group meetings. Perspectives on Using Research was first, with papers on research and the teaching job (Romberg), utility (Wheeler), review and dissemination (Dessart), preparing materials (Jurdak), and the teacher's view (Williams). The second session was on…

Describes a study that used citation analysis to assess the dissemination and impact of projects funded by the Department of Education's Library Research and Demonstration Branch. The criteria used to award grants, and the relationship between number of citations and the amount of funding are discussed. (17 notes with references) (CLB)

The purpose of the article is to explain the research recommendations in the area of career education for the handicapped derived from a 1975 national forum, illustrate the research matrix constructed, remind present researchers of this forum, and encourage an assessment. Presents the research ideas and the matrix constructed. (MF)

Offers an overview of trends and issues in student tracking, including methods of collecting data, determining which data should be gathered, obtaining follow-up data, and using results to inform decisions about institutional planning and improvement. (DMM)

Asserts that the widely cited set of characteristics of effective schools cannot be substantiated. The lack of research supporting the formula raises questions about school effectiveness programs. Recommends a synthesis of approaches that meet a school's needs and include a broader political agenda. (CJH)

Research on understanding mathematics is discussed in relation to teaching. Examples from research are used to illustrate features of the teaching design: diagnosis and the relevance of context, feedback, intensity of experience and mastery criteria. (MNS)

Examines the role of research in assisting library managers to operate libraries more effectively. Strategies for research and for library managers to better create and use research are suggested; conceptual and practical issues that affect research utilization are discussed; and the need for improved efforts by both library managers and…

This article first assesses the existing "state of awareness of the research to practice gap" among 111 preservice educators. It then discusses the potential benefits associated with the improvement of this knowledge and describes a variety of programmatic options, structural and instructional, that may enhance preservice educators' knowledge,…

Two issues of concern in education are addressed: (1) how should educational research be carried out and (2) why do practitioners so often fail to heed the findings from educational research? The author uses the conceptualization of Stephen Pepper which distinguished four different hypotheses about the nature of the world (formism, mechanism,…

The purpose of this study was to discern whether the mental picture a journal creates in its feature articles matches its mission statement. A content analysis was conducted on the feature articles in the seven most recent volumes of "Educational Leadership" (EL) and "Phi Delta Kappan" (PDK). Over 2,200 articles were analyzed…