Classroom observation and interviews in 55 schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students indicated that more time on instruction, greater correspondence between tests and curriculum material covered in class, and increased on-task behavior (activities related to acquisition of subject matter information) raised student…

This paper summarizes and critiques the literature concerning the development and use of time-compressed, intensive course formats in colleges and universities and suggests directions for future inquiry. The paper begins with a discussion of the origins of intensive courses and their development over time. Briefly reviewed are related educational…