Our secondary analysis of Measures of Effective Teaching data contributes to growing evidence that observation ratings, used as part of comprehensive teacher evaluation systems across the nation, may measure factors outside of a teacher's performance or control. Specifically, men and teachers in classrooms with high concentrations of Black,…

One of the greatest differences in resources across schools in California comes from an inequitable distribution of teachers. This study identifies reasons for this sorting of teachers by surveying 531 teachers in a California elementary school district. The surveys ask the teachers to make choices between various workplace characteristics. With…

Analyzed results from a 4-year large-scale randomized experiment on the effects of class size, project STAR in Tennessee. Analyses suggest class size effects that are large enough to be important for educational policy and that are quite consistent across schools. Small classes appear to benefit all kinds of students. (SLD)

Results of 59 studies of this relationship were integrated. Analysis revealed a substantial relationship between class size and teacher and pupil attitudes, as well as instruction. The results complement those of a previous meta-analysis that showed positive effects of class size on achievement. (Author/GK)

In this study, the authors explore the implementation of a statewide class-size reduction program in nine high-poverty schools. Through qualitative methods, they examined how schools used class-size reduction to change staffing patterns and instructional programs. Requiring changes in space allocation, class-size reduction was accomplished through…

Studied connections between class size and teaching interactions using a multimethod approach and data from a longitudinal study of more than 10,000 children and their teachers over 3 years. Results show, overall, that in smaller classes, there is more individualized teacher support for learning. Interprets results in the context of teacher time…

The results of reanalyses of statistical procedures used in the class-size meta-analyses by Glass and Smith are reported. The analyses suggest that the use of suboptimal statistical methods did not greatly affect the results of the meta-analyses by Glass and Smith. (Author/PN)

Effects of class size on academic achievement were studied for 2 years using 6,572 kindergartners in Tennessee assigned to large classes (22 to 25 students) or small classes (13 to 17 students). Significant benefits of small class size were seen in reading and mathematics achievement, especially for minority students. (SLD)

The authors assessed five commonly perceived barriers to increased use of conceptual teaching in mathematics in the United States related to teacher autonomy, trade-offs with computational strategies, student achievement, class size, and teacher qualifications. These barriers were examined through the use of data from nationally representative…

This article examines whether performance-driven educational accountability policy enhances or hinders equity. Combining data from state policy surveys, F-33, SASS, and NAEP, the article shows that during the 1990s, the states did not address racial and socioeconomic disparities in school resources and failed to narrow the achievement gaps among…

Effects of course characteristics on student ratings in a variety of instructional situations were examined. Data were collected from 1,777 classes in five departments at all levels of instruction over three years. Overall results confirmed generally accepted trends, but in some departments at particular levels of instruction, relationships varied…

This study examined classroom behavior of 393 pupils in 26 educable mentally retarded classrooms in regard to differential effects of having approximately 12, 15, and 19 pupils per classroom. Several effects were found in attention and communication, but relatively few were found in disruptive behavior. (Author/BS)

University students' evaluations of instructional effectiveness and faculty self-evaluations were collected. The effect of class-size depended upon the specific factor being evaluated. Small and large classes were generally rated more favorably. Relationships between class size and faculty self-evaluations were similar to students' evaluations.…

1,003 teachers and 66 principals in 66 elementary schools assessed the effects of various levels of parental involvement on school quality variables. School socioeconomic status, teacher degree level, grade level, class size, teachers' and principals' perceptions of teacher efficacy, organizational rigidity, and instructional coordination were…

The mathematics lesson of 63 Year 5 Australian teachers were observed over a term. A casual model linking student, school, and teacher background information, class size, teaching practices, and mean class mathematics achievement was developed for testing the relationship between class size, teaching practices, and student achievement. (Author/JAZ)