Our classrooms haven't kept pace with innovation. The Ford Model T represented breakthrough technology in its day--more than 100 years ago--but it wouldn't serve us well today. Likewise, our traditional classroom model from the same era doesn't work well for far too many students and teachers. In fact, as a result of this outdated model, it is…

As more and more states contemplate the new school year following the Coronavirus lockdown, teachers, supervisors, and administrators have to determine strategies to safely open their schools. It is hoped that the advice will help guide stakeholders in their decision-making process to be better prepared to meet the current pandemic challenges in…

Everyone agrees that school in the fall cannot look the same as it did before the pandemic. Education leaders must organize people, time, and money to make up for learning losses, help students reconnect with schooling, support students' increased social and emotional needs, respond to physical distancing and sanitation requirements, and provide…

Few questions in public education discourse benefit as much from research-based evidence as the question of class size--the pursuit of the ideal number of students that should be co-located for any particular period of instruction. But for policymakers, research on class size can be an embarrassment of riches, and much of the research appears to…

To align their financing strategies and fundraising efforts with their fiscal needs, charter school leaders need to know how much funding they need and what that funding will support. This cost estimation tool offers a simple set of worksheets to help start-up charter school operators identify and estimate the range of costs and timing of…

Results from a 1985 poll show that teacher's perceptions of ideal and actual class sizes and their effectiveness in the classroom are affected by their attitudes, age, experiences, and priorities. Includes three tables. (MD)

This comprehensive volume offers a snapshot profile of every public school district in the United States serving 1,500 or more students and provides pertinent evaluative and demographic statistics necessary to evaluate educational programs nationwide. "The Comparative Guide to American Elementary & Secondary Schools" is a…

Parents, teachers, and other caregivers need to be aware of certain fundamental concepts to protect children from assault, abuse, and neglect. Among other things, children need: to understand what being a "stranger" means; to have sources of self-esteem (that thrive when children are loved unconditionally); to have good communication…

Presents guidelines for maximum class size and workload in English. Presents recommendations for the number of students in writing courses and the number of students in literature courses. Considers recommendations for hours of instruction, variety of courses, variable workloads, administrative duties, and part-time and temporary appointments. (SG)

Outlines a study of class size among first grade-students in the Metro Nashville (Tennessee) School District. This study looked at the effects of reducing class size from 1:25 to 1:15. Initial results favor the smaller size in pupil achievement. Includes two tables and an item list. (MD)

Six suggestions for individualizing instruction include: (1) grouping kids for instructional needs; (2) reducing class size; (3) providing additional resources; (4) increasing the amount of instructional time; (5) utilizing support personnel; and (6) preparing personnel with skills needed for individualization. (DB)

The Council of Educational Facility Planners International regularly provides the recommended number of gross square feet (gsf) per student figures. This report provides revised numbers based on responses from its Design Portfolio winners over the past 5 years. Average national averages of square footage space per student for Canada and the…

Provides a critical and detailed evaluation of Jeannie Oakes book "Keeping Track." The thesis of the book is that educational inequities are caused by tracking. The author of this review does not agree with that thesis, pointing out that grouping of gifted students for instruction in advanced curriculum produces positive student gains.…

Examines three types of child care--family day care homes, day care centers, and preschools--in terms of child/staff ratio, group size, and staff training. Discusses advantages and disadvantages for parents of each of the three types of child care. (NH)

Presents a system, Program Sensitive Capacity, by which capacities of schools and classrooms can be calculated. Involves consideration of program characteristics, average class sizes, and scheduling efficiency. (MLF)