The authors examined, by direct observation and 1 hr interval self-reporting, teacher time use in 4 types of special education programs (adaptive behavior units, content mastery, coteaching, resource room). Over 7,000 pieces of data were collected across an academic year from 31 teachers in 24 schools within 9 districts in the Southwestern United…

Engagement is a core component of effective educational programs for children with autism. Analysis of 711 naturalistic goal-directed classroom behaviors of four school-age children with autism and four comparable children with Down syndrome (DS) was conducted. The definition of engagement was expanded to include child compliance and congruence. A…

Discusses the seven fundamentals of effective instruction: (1) time use, (2) diagnosis, (3) direct instruction, (4) transfer of skills, (5) flexible grouping, (6) positive mind set, and (7) classroom management. (FL)

Investigated whether teachers involved in a classroom management inservice program would demonstrate more of the recommended teaching behaviors than teachers not so trained, and whether students in the classes of those teachers would spend more time engaged in appropriate learning activities than those in other classes. (FL)

Recent teacher effectiveness research reveals that teachers of basic skills are more likely to use monitoring and reactive-corrective behaviors. The concept of teaching as assisting consists of a teacher's ability to: (1) create an environment conducive to learning for all children; (2) understand that the instructional responsibility lies with…

Queuing theory is examined in this paper in order to determine if the theory could be applied in educational settings. It is defined as a form of operations research that uses mathematical formulas and/or computer simulation to study wait and congestion in a system and, through the study of these visible phenomena, to discover malfunctions within…

This executive summary of the multiyear Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) focuses principally on the findings of Phase III-B of this research program on teaching effectiveness. One outcome of the BTES study was a concept that makes it possible to measure individual student learning by noting observable variables of student behavior in the…

This study examines the effects of task arrangements and management systems on student engagement rates. It is argued that the complexity of classroom arrangements influences the form and content of management systems, and that management decisions impact levels of student engagement. Intensive observation of 63 third and fourth grade students…

An overview is presented of research studies (carried out in the 1970s) dealing with the influence of time on student academic achievement. Discussions illuminate studies and findings about: (1) length of school day; (2) academic learning time; (3) achievement levels and academic time; (4) clarity of first day organization and planning; (5) time…

Presents the findings of a six-year staff development program for multigrade teachers. Discovers a significant increase in the time on task levels of the pupils and the instructional and classroom management skills of the teachers. Discusses the implications of, and problems with, the study. (MJP)

Examples are cited of educational research and development findings that have specific implications for improving classroom management and school effectiveness in a comprehensive educational program. Described is the West Virginia Department of Education's current use of research on brain growth as one basis for realigning the curriculum. Patterns…

A three-year project was undertaken by the National Center for research in Vocational Education (Ohio State University, OH) to investigate time on task in vocational and technical classes. During the first year of the project, researchers used the direct observation method to collect time-on-task data pertaining to 10 teachers and 186 students in…