Investigates the influence of the teacher's presence/absence on primary children's group work in a World Studies class. Discovered that, although children generally remain on task, the teacher's presence resulted in improved quality and consistency. Includes tables of statistical and observational data, as well as excerpts from the students'…

Addresses issues associated with the part of the work force in educational research employed by British universities, including implications of recommendations in the Dearing Report. Identifies problems in recruiting experienced and qualified staff at all levels, and encouraging potential staff to pursue careers in educational research. Proposes…

Reports on an ethnographic study of parents' evenings at British secondary schools as seen from the perspectives of all involved. Collects data from in-depth interviews with staff, parents, and students, and by observation. Indicates that meetings are unique interactional events that create problematic interface between the power bases of home and…

Looks at the premises on which peer education is founded and considers whether the approach is the panacea that many claim. Also, describes how positive views of peer education have spread in the absence of any assessment of its premises, and evaluates each of the claims made for peer education. (DSK)

Asserts that government sponsored educational research has been seriously compromised by the introduction of restrictive conditions. These contractual conditions restrain researchers from discussing any aspect of the research, limiting all information dissemination to the sponsoring body. Contains examples of government suppression and…

Examines the nature and activities of the Christian Schools Campaign. The campaign worked to influence educational legislation in England concerning public funding for religious-based schools. Assess the campaign's effectiveness in influencing the 1993 Education Act, which opened the possibility of public funding. (MJP)

Follows up an earlier age cohort study done in the 1980s. Discovered that, although differences in achievement related to gender and socioeconomic factors remained consistent and generally increased over time, greater change was found in patterns of ethnic differences. Discusses possible explanations for the findings and implications for…

Presents four categories of motivational characteristics for science students: achievement, curiosity, conscientiousness, and sociability. Asserts that most students exhibit one or more of these traits. Discusses changing correlations among characteristics, gender, and grade level. (MJP)

Reviews contributions that higher education and schools make to preservice and in-service teacher education. Argues that college and university teacher educators offer a perspective and variety of frameworks for understanding that student teaching alone cannot provide. Criticizes the present tension that exists between efforts to develop capacity…

Reviews the literature on the effect of prior knowledge and text familiarity on document comprehension and usability. Discusses current methods for assessing subjects' topic familiarity. Presents an empirically based method for effectively assessing topic familiarity. Explains that the method includes use of two subject groups and reliance on…

Describes developments in multilevel modeling of educational and other social data. Suggests that such a technique be used for school effectiveness studies, political opinion surveys, and area-based studies. Recommends that the inherent hierarchical structure of social science data be reflected in statistical models. Argues that multilevel…

Explores the relationship of educational research to political action. Describes three areas of research in education, empirical, reflective, and creative, carried out by those who seek to understand and those who seek to change. Suggests that beyond the personal and the formal dissemination level, more attention is needed at the informal…

Focuses on the long-term effects of the Danish school system on students. Summarizes a research project of comparison interviews with former students of experimental and ordinary schools. Reports that students from experimental schools evaluate their schools more positively but rate their preparation for further education as less adequate than…

Reports on the structure and methodology of a British project investigating the impact and implications of competence-led curricula in further education. Outlines the alternative dissemination strategies, research methodology, and management approach used. Concludes that the teacher as researcher approach needs to be applied more explicitly in the…

Presents results from an Australian study examining whether children who use cognitive strategies in solving simple addition questions develop greater proficiency in addition than children who do not use such strategies. Describes the subjects, instruments, procedure, and instructional treatment. Concludes that the development of cognitive…