This report contains the synthesis of Research on Instructional Effectiveness in Elementary Schools (RUETE). The emphasis of the research fellows was on large scale, classroom-based studies related to student achievement. Current research in the areas of active teaching behaviors, activity and task stuctures, and academic learning time is…

Research on teacher effectiveness has provided substantial evidence that certain teaching behaviors are more likely than others to promote student achievement. Described is an instructional design model that can help teachers plan for more effective teaching. Two sample social studies lessons based on the model are presented. (RM)

In the last decade considerable attention has been directed to the question of how teachers may increase the academic performance of their students. This monograph summarizes the research findings and suggests some underlying principles of effective instruction. Recent research has reinforced findings that teachers who adopt the principles of…

An overview of research studies on the relationship among time factors and student achievement is presented. The California Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study is cited as a seminal work in this area. A brief summary of findings on allocated time, engaged time, and academic learning time includes a discussion on how these studies have been expanded…

Factors which appear to affect learning are reviewed: student characteristics of age, ability, and motivation; amount and quality of instruction; home and classroom environment; peer influence; television; school and principal effects; and financial expenditures. (GDC)

The efforts of a principal who used ideas concerning use of classroom time generated by the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study to restructure programs at two rural elementary schools are described. Staff development efforts and teachers' reactions are highlighted. Changes in instruction and in scheduling are discussed. (PP)

A number of research studies have shown that the factors important to academic achievement are time allocated to instruction, the amount of time students actively engage in learning, and the degree of success they experience while learning. To put this into practice, personnel with the Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory (McREL) have…

Methods that will improve student achievement include: start early; focus on reading and math; bring in trained tutors; invest in teachers; shrink the size of classes and schools; and increase the amount of time spent learning. Offers guidelines for evaluating initiatives for improving student achievement, discusses technology, and provides…

The first section of this report describes the rationale and objectives of the Research Utilization in Elementary Teacher Education (RUETE) study which developed techniques for exposing student teachers to current research on effective instruction and effective schools. The progressive phases of the RUETE study are outlined and discussed. The…

This paper reviews educational theory and research on student learning gains (especially in basic skills in elementary grades) and on motivating students to value and engage willingly in academic tasks. Research on the link between teacher behavior and student learning and attitudes is addressed in the first section, followed by a section…

This set of five digests provides an overview of the issue of attaining excellence in vocational education. The first digest deals with effective schools research, characteristics of effective schools, implications of effective schools research for high school vocational education, and strategies for improving school effectiveness. Covered in the…