This volume examines and discusses educational research and its application. A collection of abridged and edited versions of original research reports is presented, intended to help teachers use research findings to inform their own practice. The research papers bring teaching methods and resources up to date; discuss the learning potential of each student; celebrate students' diversity; describe how parents, culture, and society influence one's teaching; and deal with such things as appropriateness of teacher assignments, classroom management and class time, grouping and testing strategies, and the relationship between assessment, grading, and motivation. Underlying themes of the reports recognize: (1) educational goals include more than test scores; (2) the potential for learning exists in all children; (3) a relationship exists between a student's cultural background and learning; (4) it is important to involve parents and guardians in the education of their children; and (5) cooperative and peer learning strategies and collegial relationships among practitioners are important. (LL)