ATTENTION: EDUCATION EDITOR July 25, 1994 A review of current programs and projects at the U.S. Department of Education. Use upon receipt. CONTACT: Melinda Kitchell (202) 401-1008
These and other important education-related questions will be studied under 10 research grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Education. The Field-Initiated Studies Program grants total $864,470 for projects that run up to 18 months. The 10 grantees were selected by non-federal evaluators from 277 submissions. Additional awards may be made if more funds become available.
"Solid research that comes directly from researchers and educators across the country is a vital contribution to national systemic reform efforts," said Sharon Robinson, assistant secretary for educational research and improvement. "These projects will address site-based management, students at risk of school failure, and ways to improve teachers' skills through computer networks -- issues that are important to improving education today."
The program is open to individuals, higher education institutions, public and private organizations and agencies. Applicants can propose research on any education-related topic. The program is authorized by the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination and Improvement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103- 222).
Summaries of the findings are available from the department's Office of Educational Research and Improvement after the projects are completed.
Santa Barbara University of California $87,015 Mary E. Brenner (805) 893-7118 To investigate how well students learn basic algebraic concepts of variables and equations while solving problems. The study will create guidelines for developing ways to effectively teach pre-algebra to language minority students.
Tampa University of South Florida $89,851 George Batsche and Howard Knoff (813) 974-3246 To evaluate four Hillsborough County, Fla., school programs designed to improve academic achievement, with a focus on students at risk of dropping out, those who stay in school but do not perform well academically, and educationally and economically disadvantaged students. The project will look at program coordination and organization, school discipline, parental collaboration, and staff development in the areas of teaching problem-solving and social skills.
Ann Arbor University of Michigan $71,751 Philip Kearney (313) 764-8241 To evaluate both the content and usefulness of school data reports generated for school district administrators, and to design a system that allows agencies that collect school data to quickly generate reports useful to school administrators.
Detroit Wayne State University $90,000 Shlomo S. Sawilowsky (313) 577-1656 To evaluate Wayne State University's public charter school project. The results will be provided to the Detroit middle school that is being evaluated and to other schools facing similar challenges.
Columbia University of Missouri $74,846 Harris Cooper (314) 882-3360 To investigate the homework assignment process and to determine how homework affects learning and school success other than achievement (e.g. attitudes towards school, study habits, cheating, and participation in community activities); how best to involve parents in homework; and the relative effectiveness of different types of homework assignments. The project will produce policy guidelines for teachers and suggestions for future research, which will be shared with school administrators, board members, teachers, parents, students, professional educational organizations, and teacher preparation programs.
Omaha University of Nebraska $87,358 Neal Topp, Neal Grandgenett and Robert Mortenson (402) 554-2690 To evaluate the impact of the statewide Internet computer system and related teacher-training programs on K-12 education in Nebraska. The project will make recommendations for use of networks in Nebraska schools and around the nation.
Syracuse Syracuse University $97,975 Donald Leu (315) 682-8968 To explore whether involving teachers and students in software design helps students comprehend social studies texts and to determine how students respond to electronically integrated children's literature selections. The project will produce several working models of multimedia software -- such as hypertext and full-motion video -- for use in social studies instruction.
Raleigh North Carolina State University $79,584 Sara B. Berenson (919) 515-2013 To evaluate if and how teaching methods change after teachers are taught to use alternative assessments that look beyond what students have learned and attempt to measure how they use what they have learned.
San Antonio University of Texas $87,663 Robert J. Bayley (210) 691-5577 and Sandra R. Schecter (U.C. Berkeley) (415) 327-7764 To study the use and choice of language in the home of linguistic minority Mexican-American children in grades four, five and six in the San Antonio and San Francisco areas. The project will provide educators information about out-of-school bilingualism, linguistic coping strategies, and ideas for developing effective home-school collaborations.
Milwaukee University of Wisconsin $98,427 Ulrich C. Reitzug (414) 229-6684 To examine site-based management at nine Milwaukee schools and to discover how the authority, influence and involvement of teachers affect transition to site-based management and school change.
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