[NLA] "breaking news"

[Nashansen@aol.com]

In a message dated 06/17/2002 8:34:06 PM Central Daylight Time, 
eileeneckert at hotmail.com writes:

<< Who would do the research, Eileen?" Practitioners. Practitioners. 
 Practitioners. After reading some of the responses to my posts, I thought 
 maybe an evil twin was using my name to write anti-teacher hate mail to the 
 list. I re-read what I've written, and it says, I'm advocating for 
 program-based research done by practitioners. Nothing I've written says that 
 someone else should set or carry out the research agenda. The EFF field 
 research is a great example of connections between practitioners and 
 researchers to produce "sound" research ..... >>

So -- I misread your message, too, Eileen.  The "connection" you detected in 
the EFF is exactly what I meant by referring to "it" as a research tool.  No 
evil twin there, but I could have *sworn* ....

<< .... I have spoken with some of the people doing EFF 
field research--those I've talked to consider it great professional 
development as well as practical problem solving and a chance to have a 
positive impact on the whole field. Is it complete? Even if it is, or if the 
LVA research is complete, there is research to be done anytime a 
practitioner has an unresolved question. Many teachers are already doing a 
huge part of the work of a researcher; they try things out, keep journals, 
talk to others in the field. Is being more deliberate about it and 
disseminating results such a gigantic and unrealistic step? I'm not 
suggesting it be mandatory! >>

Regarding complete or incomplete:  The EFF is something we can utilize in the 
Here and Now is the whole point.  I just really question whether a "long-term 
research project" is going to validate anything more than what has begun.  
The EFF is a system upon which data can be built.  

As far as teacher/volunteers already keeping journals and doing personal 
observations of learner progress is concerned?  When the feds "get over it" 
about allowing this type "research" to Have Impact on funding requirements, 
perhaps *then* I shall be convinced it's "an option".  

RE "I'm not suggesting it be mandatory":  If so, who will be the first 
administrator to "volunteer" to be a Perfect Example of a Well-Run Literacy 
Program which will set an example for *all* programs nationwide and provide 
their volunteer/teachers' journals revealing the confidential records of 
their learners?  In the first place, *is* there a Perfect Program, as Deborah 
Yoho questioned in one of her posts?

Nancy Hansen
Sioux Falls Area Literacy Council
sfliteracy at mcleodusa.net and