This case study tells the story of 19 educators and their facilitator who examined the processes and dilemmas of creating a special education curriculum through action research. During the 1994-95 school year, a group of teachers and a principal participated in a year-long project to develop a curriculum around issues of inclusion and transition…

When a university educator reflected upon her experience as a teacher of preservice English teachers, she concluded that integrating action research into three courses and an internship assignment can be effective, and perhaps, more effective than a separate, theoretical course in action research itself. Most educators agree that action research…

Lesson study helps teachers use collaborative peer insight and feedback about student responses to instruction to develop high quality lessons. Combining lesson study with collaborative action research, Ohio middle school teachers developed exemplar lessons in the four-column writing method and found that the method significantly improved…

Socially critical action research in education can be defined as being strategic and critical pedagogic action on the part of classroom teachers aimed at increasing social justice. Five characteristics of socially critical action research are examined: participation, direction, consciousness, constraints, and outcomes. (IAH)

This article focuses on the problems, dilemmas, and issues which confront facilitators of teacher-based action research in schools. Three action research projects in the United Kingdom are described. An attempt is made to clarify the theoretical and philosophical assumptions which underpin the action research movement in education. (IAH)

Considers the various meanings of action research historically and as it is currently manifested. Notes that, in attempting to define action research and to use it for the diverse goals of teacher professionalization, improved knowledge, and social justice, researchers sometimes overlook teachers' struggles with implementation and outside…

A university teacher educator discusses becoming a teacher-researcher in her own classes, bringing theory and practice together and collaborating with students in the learning process. She observed classroom events, talked with students, and reflected about the situation. The experience helped her integrate theory and practice and feel positive…

Discusses meanings of the term "teacher research," a rationale for preparing teachers to do research as they learn to teach, and ways to educate prospective teachers as researchers. Contains 59 references. (DDR)

A first-grade teacher investigated the use of daily poetry readings to help students develop certain characteristics of skilled readers, including fluency and comprehension. Students in a class receiving poetry-reading instruction had higher comprehension scores and reading levels than students in a control class receiving basal-reader…

A high school geometry teacher studied the alternative assessment literature, developed and tried alternative assessments such as portfolios in the classroom, evaluated students' and parents' satisfaction levels with these methods, and got feedback from those involved. While students initially had mixed reactions, over 90% of parents supported…

Curriculum standards can help educators achieve important student outcomes. However, only through collaboration, empowerment, and leadership will meaningful school improvement occur. This paper examines the importance of (1) collaborative action research to help teachers assess and improve their own practice and (2) leadership support to encourage…

Describes the development of the practices and perspectives of one elementary school teacher as she engaged in teacher-as-researcher methodology in both urban and suburban settings. Documents how the teacher-as-researcher began to explore science inquiry in an elementary setting and how students, parents, and educators became co-learners,…

Describes a school-university collaboration which tackled issues of mentoring, writing, and publication, bringing teachers, professors, and administrators together for research. Participants' action research resulted in a major book publication on new directions for mentoring and creating cultures of synergy. Strategies for developing and…

Presents a first-person account of three people closely involved in a collaboration between one junior-senior high school and Miami University's Institute for Educational Renewal. The collaboration centered on incorporating a teacher-as-inquirer component into student teaching experience, which developers believe holds greater promise for…

Introduction: Research has shown that students do not like student presentations, yet a case can be made for them. This study seeks to understand the effects that presentations have on students. Method: Within an action research framework, two repeated-measures studies were completed, one with students undertaking assessed presentations the other…