District Administration - April 2008 - (Page 8)

Editor’s Letter Centered on Research DA’s renamed Research Center addresses topics pertinent to K12 districts. RECENTLY RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM A READER ASKING ME TO identify the speciﬁc “research” referred to in an article so she could read it for herself. While it was a fair question, the fact that she put the word in quotes implied that she thought this was another author blowing educational smoke, and no such studies existed. While I was quite sure that the reader’s goal was to make a point and that she had no intention of accessing original research, I referred her to studies supporting the article and didn’t hear from her again. But I knew why this reader approached me with a chip on her shoulder. As important as it is to equip administrators with objective information to guide policy and program development in K12 districts, educational research is one of the most controversial and least understood forces in schools. Research can be found that supports almost every educational theory and practice imaginable, so writers and conference speakers glibly spout, “Research shows …” “Educational research is one before presenting whatever they think. And on the other side, critics commonly rail against developments they oppose by asking, “What of the most controversial research That, asked fairly about and least understood forces anything supports this?”in K12 of course, can beused primarily as a that happens schools, but it is in schools.” weapon. Administrators have to be research-savvy. Enormous resources have been targeted to research-based goals for improving education, from federal sources such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health, and private organizations including the Carnegie Corporation, the Hewlett Foundation and the Mott Foundation. Educators therefore need to take advantage of scholarship that supports, defends and improves teaching and learning in their districts, and to promote the dissemination and application of educational research. As is commonly said, “Without data you are just another opinion.” Fifth Anniversary In addition to presenting relevant research in the articles and reports in DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, this issue marks the ﬁfth anniversary and 50th article of our popular research department, now renamed the Research Center. To celebrate that milestone, this month we look back at the broad variety of insights gleaned from past research topics, including “Learning a Second Language,” “K8 Math Strategies,” “Turning Around Low-Performing Schools,” “Fighting Obesity,” “Ability Grouping” and “Demystifying Dyslexia.” The full columns are available on the DA Web site, and they may be copied and distributed for educational purposes. www.DistrictAdministration.com I Odvard Egil Dyrli EDITOR-IN-CHIEF gdyrli@edmediagroup.com 8 April 2008 District Administration http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - April 2008

District Administration - April 2008
Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology
Facilities & Construction
Curriculum
Inside the Law
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Profit and Loss in School-Business Partnerships
The Broad Way
Big Macs for Big Grades
Hometown Success
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
Speaking Out
Crisis Response
New Products
Problem/Solution
Computer Literature
Research Center
Calendar of Events
Products Showcase
Understanding the Times

District Administration - April 2008