Research And Practice In Education: The Search For Common Ground

Education • Research “As a practitioner/scholar who knows well the different worlds of policy, practice, and research, Davis tells in a lively, no-holds-barred manner the ‘good, bad, and ugly’ of what separates k–12 practitioners from policy makers and researchdriven professors. This book will both please and offend readers, depending on which world they inhabit. It is worth reading.” —LARRY CUBAN, professor emeritus, Stanford University Over the years, bridging the gap between research and practice in education has proven to be a stubborn and persistent problem. This book examines the issue from several perspectives. First, the characteristics of educational research are examined, with particular attention given to the contrasting perspectives and professional orientations of researchers and practitioners. Second, the book provides a critical analysis of the current focus on “scientifically based” research as defined by No Child Left Behind and of the dubious relevance and uneven quality of research produced by schools of education. Third, several suggestions and resources are provided that can help practitioners improve their “research literacy” and assist researchers interested in advancing the practical relevance of their work. The Search for Common Ground “Stephen Davis has written a readable, engaging book about the fragile intersection between research and practice. He brings this subject to life by drawing on his own rich, personal experiences as a teacher, school administrator, and university faculty member. Teachers and administrators will discover a sympathetic, realistic portrayal of their work while acquiring a somewhat critical view of academia as Davis experienced it.” —EDWIN M. BRIDGES, professor emeritus, Stanford University Research and Practice in Education “A plainspoken, unvarnished view of education research quality and impact from the classroom and school level. Takes on a lot of academic sacred cows through a creative mixture of literature synthesis and school-based experience. No education researcher will be bored with this critique that needs to be a perspective included in policy research courses.” —MIKE KIRST, professor emeritus, Stanford University DAVIS “In a style that will appeal to both practitioners and scholars, Stephen H. Davis’s book provides a forthright and sometimes controversial critique of the world of scholarly research and its impact on k–12 practice. Although some readers may disagree with his vivid portrayals of scholars and practitioners, most everyone will find the book provocative, informative, and enjoyable. This book is a mustread for anyone interested in learning more about the fractured relationship between educational research and school reform.” —BARRY R. GROVES, superintendent, Mountain View–Los Altos (CA) Union High School District Research and Practice in Education The Search for Common Ground STEPHEN H. DAVIS is professor in the College of Education and Integrative Studies, California Pol