This article examines the community of practice model as a framework for integrating educational research and practice. This perspective extends current notions about collaborative inquiry and the role of teacher participation in research aimed at improving educational practices. In addition to defining communities of practice and describing reflective practice and situated learning as the theoretical underpinnings of this approach, the article analyzes applications of this model from the literature and offers suggestions for transforming traditional methods of conducting research on educational practice. The article concludes with a challenge to the field to consider ways to promote dialogue and inquiry to advance our knowledge on this issue.

We used surveys from 274 families who had at least 1 child with fragile X syndrome (FXS) to determine their experiences in discovering FXS, factors associated with the timeliness of discovery, and the perceived consequences of obtaining this information. For families of male children who were born in the last decade, someone first became concerned about the child's development at an average age of 13 months. Professional confirmation of a developmental delay did not occur until an average age of 21 months, and a FXS diagnosis occurred at an average age of nearly 32 months. Families reported several barriers to discovering FXS and frustration with the process. Many families had additional children with FXS without knowing reproductive risk. A range of perceived benefits and challenges associated with the discovery were reported. We conclude that selected pediatric practices could promote earlier identification but in only a limited way and predict that disorders such as FXS will continue to challenge current criteria for determining viable candidate disorders for newborn screening.

Purpose: This study examined the attitudes and beliefs of 442 parents of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) regarding different screening options for FXS. Methods: A survey was administered to parents of children with FXS across the U.S. Results: Parents indicated their support for voluntary screening for FXS, especially carrier and newborn screening. They also thought advantages of widespread screening to be more likely than disadvantages.Conclusion: Parents' support for FXS screening is at odds with current screening criteria, but as new genetic knowledge and technologies reconfigure these criteria, it will be important to take parents' perspectives into account. Genet Med 2003:5(5):378 -384.