This book is based on a qualitative case study that uses Vygotskian sociocultural theory and Freirean critical theory to explore the perspectives of elementary teachers on the impact of transience on literacy. The teachers stories highlight how the literacy achievement and the life chances of many economically disadvantaged, linguistic, and racial minority students are being curtailed and threatened by frequent, non-routine, non-grade promotional school changes. The teachers perceived that transience has a deleterious effect on the oral language, reading, and writing development of students in elementary schools with high levels of transience. The study reveals both the macro and the micro-level dynamics of transient students' language and literacy learning and demonstrates that the schooling and literacy education of transient students is a social and political issue, and a matter of social justice for those who have little and need much more. The study presents a number of specific recommendations to respond to the challenges associated with the perceived negative impact of transience on literacy.

There is currently heightened interest in optimizing health care through the generation of new knowledge on the effectiveness of health care services. The United States must substantially strengthen its capacity for assessing evidence on what is known and not known about "what works" in health care. Even the most sophisticated clinicians and consumers struggle to learn which care is appropriate and under what circumstances. Knowing What Works in Health Care looks at the three fundamental health care issues in the United States-setting priorities for evidence assessment, assessing evidence (systematic review), and developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines-and how each of these contributes to the end goal of effective, practical health care systems. This book provides an overall vision and roadmap for improving how the nation uses scientific evidence to identify the most effective clinical services. Knowing What Works in Health Care gives private and public sector firms, consumers, health care professionals, benefit administrators, and others the authoritative, independent information required for making essential informed health care decisions. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 An Imperative for Change 3 Setting Priorities for Evidence Assessment 4 Systematic Reviews: The Central Link Between Evidence and Clinical Decision Making 5 Developing Trusted Clinical Practice Guidelines 6 Building a Foundation for Knowing What Works in Health Care Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix B: Workshop Agendas and Questions to Panelists Appendix C: Template for Submissions of Topics to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Appendix D: Standards for Reporting Meta-Analyses of Clinical Trials and Observational Studies: QUOROM and MOOSE Appendix E: Examples of ECRI Institute and Hayes, Inc., Quick Turnaround Reports Appendix F: Guideline Standards: The AGREE Instrument and COGS Checklist Appendix G: Committee Biographies Index