Four years of research in Tennessee involving more than 6,000 students each year demonstrate that smaller classes can provide substantial gains in student achievement, especially in the early grades. Lists 10 information sources about the effects of class size on student learning. (MLF)

Describes two plans that use pupil weighting as part of a program to give teachers relief from oversized classes. (IRT)

The Federal government will spend $1.2 billion in 1999-2000 on the Clinton administration's Class Size Reduction Initiative. Research on K-3 class-size reduction experiments (such as Tennessee's Project STAR) show positive achievement gains, particularly for minority and inner-city students. However, better teaching and learning must be a program…

Describes an Illinois school district's successful effort to boost its early education program by reopening an older school and putting all three-to-six year olds into smaller classes under one roof. Success came from careful planning, a close working relationship with community members, smart public relations, and a good product showing strong…

Describes Glenbard Township (Illinois) High School District's win/win solution to negotiating teacher contracts. The district's new cooperative approach succeeded because the negotiating team was expanded (weakening the influence of adversarial-minded negotiators), and the system's best teachers were part of the bargaining team. A standing…

A school board member, pursuing literature findings on the relationship between classroom size and student achievement/quality instruction, discovers that data support "any hypotheses." The investigator concluded that educational research does not reflect actual student-teacher classroom interactions. (CJH)

Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers from Fairfax County Public Schools express their views about reducing class size. Teachers from all grade levels said that reduced class size increased student learning and enhanced their teaching effectiveness, whereas large classes had the opposite effect. Lists four policy recommendations.…

Reports on the cost-effectiveness of four educational interventions and their effectiveness in raising student achievement in mathematics and reading. Research shows that tutoring yields the best results. (MD)

Reviews several issues having implications for the future nature and funding of school construction, including recent state educational adequacy and equity litigation, smaller class sizes, full-day kindergartens, educational technology, and charter schools. (PKP)

Argues that the best way to improve teachers' performance and morale is to provide more paid time for essential teaching tasks. Six suggestions are provided: reduce class size; provide clerical help; delegate responsibility; provide student assistants; seek help from parents; provide monthly (nonteaching) work days. (TE)

A school board member-turned-English teacher shares several insights: teaching is exhausting work; class size matters; teachers are isolated; teachers often misunderstand board actions; administrative filters distort what boards and teachers are really saying; adopting one-sided, radical change is foolhardy; and teachers are professionals…

Ways to make instruction more individualized and personalized even if class size cannot be reduced include modifying the following: (1) distribution of teachers; (2) instructional methods; (3) distribution of students; and (4) exacerbating factors such as interruptions. (MLF)

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…