Introduces the symposium on qualitative research by depicting the context and politics of the field of educational studies in the last few decades. Finds agreement that the qualitative method is an apt way to capture latent and manifest activity in classrooms. (SK)

Outlines topics for future debate based on articles in this issue: qualitative studies focused on the substance of education, multisite studies, clarification of the genre of research, the potential of interdisciplinary approaches, and the uses of technology in furthering the debate. (SK)

Describes seminars in which researchers reported their findings to the high school teachers whose classes they studied. Interprets the experience from three orientations: different school cultures, the research team's role, and teacher power. (SK)