Several methods for determining priorities for research in agricultural education can be cited. These include the following: to rely on individual initiative, as has been done in the past; to get organized as a profession and reach agreement regarding research priorities at the national, regional, or state levels; to wait for federal and state…

This paper reviews educational theory and research on student learning gains (especially in basic skills in elementary grades) and on motivating students to value and engage willingly in academic tasks. Research on the link between teacher behavior and student learning and attitudes is addressed in the first section, followed by a section…

A four-year research program was conducted on the application of learning strategies in the context of computer-based military training. It entailed an effort to define student learning strategies and skill training needs, evaluation of instructional procedures, and development of training products. Learning strategies and skill maintenance…

As part of Project IMPACT's efforts to develop procedures for complying with the impact requirements of Public Law 94-482, a case study was made of the Illinois Network of Exemplary Occupational Education Programs for Handicapped and Disadvantaged Students. The purpose of the Network was to expand the quantity and quality of special needs…

Based on two years of research experience in Zambia, the author examines ethical and political implications of research inforeign countries. The economic and political reality is that richer, Western countries have the resources to do the research while the poorer countries have the information. Cooperative efforts could alleviate this situation,…

The inadequacy of the American public school system can only be remedied by an opportunity to make radical changes in educational techniques and institutions. It is the elected official, not the educator, who makes the basic educational policy that is mediocre and rigid. Most educators have had little experience with developing a cohesive program…

This paper addresses the problem of building the capacity for continuous renewal and reform in the educational system. The authors contend that the paradigm of R&D previously used has been too narrow, and that it is based on restrictive assumptions about how to help schools solve problems. They feel that any revised concept of "the…

An introduction to the "hows" of research and development (R&D) funding decisions made by the U. S. Federal government, this book contains four chapters written by separate authors. The first chapter examines the Federal role, purpose, and practices in funding R&D concluding that Federal funding of R&D is designed primarily…

Staff members of a state literary resource center surveyed their practitioner clients to determine how they viewed research and the kinds of uses they made of it. Mail surveys were sent to all of the 404 adult education and English as a second language program directors in the state, and followup telephone interviews were conducted with 16 of the…

Australia's new national vocational education and training (VET) research and evaluation (R&E) strategy is underpinned by the goal of improving the VET systems and must accommodate the needs of all the different stakeholders in the VET sector. It focuses on research applied in nature, consolidating and advancing knowledge, and on evaluation…

Elementary teachers' attitudes towards science and their confidence to teach it have for some time been identified as important in determining both the quality and quantity of science taught to children. Attitudes and confidence are influenced greatly by the teachers' own experiences as learners of science and as teachers of science. This paper…

Describes an experiment documenting the musical sounds made by children with severe and profound and multiple learning disabilities. Production of these sounds is made by synthesizers and an EMS Soundbeam device that registers sounds created by body movement. Discusses the analysis of these sounds and their use in subsequent therapy. (MJP)

Discusses the barriers that impede special education teachers from adopting research findings in the field of special education. The lack of communication between educators and researchers, the need to teach teachers how to evaluate research using scientific criteria, and teacher resistance to change are discussed. (CR)

Argues that a combination of communication difficulties and differing agendas hamper educational endeavors between social science researchers and educators. Recommends creating formal positions at the state or local level to facilitate linking basic and applied research to educational policy. (MJP)

Provides a concise overview of the role of the federal government in educational statistics and research. Although the scale and methodologies of these projects have increased in size and complexity, federal educational statistical research has never become a significant force in educational reform. (MJP)