Abelson, Harold Herbert

ABELSON, HAROLD HERBERT (1904–2003), U.S. educator. Born in New York, he began his teaching career at City College in 1924, advancing from assistant psychologist in the educational clinic to professor in 1948, and dean of the school of education in 1952. His book The Art of Educational Research, Its Problems and Procedures (1933), his articles, and his investigations and interest in personality development reflect his belief that educational research should proceed on the basis of scientific principles. In 1944 he was appointed consultant to the office of the Adjutant General and in 1962 became president of the Interstate Teacher Educational Conference. Other books by Abelson include The Improvement of Intelligence Testing (1927) and Putting Knowledge to Use: Facilitating the Diffusion of Knowledge and the Implementation of Planned   Change (with E.M. Glaser and K.N. Garrison, 1983). The CCNY School of Education has established the Abelson Award for Excellence in Research, which is given annually for the most creative use of educational measurement in the Graduate Research Project. (Ronald E. Ohl / Ruth Beloff (2nd ed.)