Third, five decades after the institutionalisation of the field in the academic
world, the field’s ancestors could feel well satisfied to see the legitimacy it has
gained both in the academic and the educational arena. The field’s authors are
invited to consult with public education agencies, submit research proposals, and
are rewarded for their research, teaching and service. Professors no longer need to
justify their academic value and utility in terms of robust methodology or strong
adherence to theoretical paradigms. They are also able to focus on applied
knowledge and still are considered experts who provide valuable and useful
knowledge for the educational system.