The focus of this book is major educational innovations, that is, programs and curricula that have achieved widespread influence. It presents such fundamentals as definitions, descriptions, theoretical and empirical bases, critical analyses, and conclusions from published research. (The book discusses only published research.) Titles of the 15 chapters summarize the contents: (1) "The Nature of Educational Innovation"; (2) "The Structure of Educational Innovation"; (3) "The Research Says..."; (4) "Setting Standards"; (5) "Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy"; (6) "Innovations from Brain Research"; (7) "Teaching for Intelligence"; (8) "Thinking Skills Programs"; (9) "Whole-Language Learning"; (10) "Elements of Styles: Learning, Thinking, Teaching"; (11) "Curriculum Integration"; (12)"Cooperative Learning"; (13): "Success for All and Schoolwide Reform"; (14) "Direct Instruction"; and (15) "Authentic and Performance Assessment." An epilogue includes basic questions researchers should ask and final thoughts for future research. Each chapter includes a list of references, and most include a conclusion or summary. (Contains an index.) (WFA)