Improving Schools to Promote Learning is a concise and common-sense examination of all the moving parts that drive student learning. The book ties together the research, policies, and practices relative to the state, district, school, classroom, and family, and explains their effects on student learning. The author covers an array of topics,…

This instrument contains 105 items designed to measure the classroom climate of the secondary school classroom. Students select one of four responses from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Data on reliability and scale correlations are provided. (MH)

The program of research on teacher-student relationships described in this issue is an important part of the field of classroom learning environments, although it has its own distinctive and significant features. The questionnaire on teacher interaction (QTI), the main instrument used in this research, follows the strong tradition in learning…

To test the hypothesis that learning depends on the influence and interaction of three primary variables--instruction, learner aptitude, and learning environment--an explanatory model was tested during the 1967-68 school year in an experiment conducted with the cooperation of a simple random sample of 56 teachers drawn from the National Science…

Three sets of factors that are strongly and consistently productive of academic learning are student ability and motivation, amount and quality of instruction as well as the social-psychological morale of the classroom group, and the educationally stimulating qualities of the home environment. (Author/MLF)

A review of a decade's research indicates that the greatest confidence can be placed in the effects of opportunity, exposure, and instruction on achievement, retention, and attitudes. (Author/IRT)

The research summarized and reported contradicts the view that schooling makes little difference and that its improvement in quality and equality of opportunity lies beyond our reach. (Author)

Cites statistics characterizing the growing problems faced by students, such as violence, drug use, declining trust, and cheating. Summarizes the contributions of this issue's articles with regard to the influence of early experience on aspirations, and observes that surveys and interview techniques can enrich understanding of the problems and…

States that research suggests that a caring classroom and school climate combined with character education can improve student academic achievement. Draws implications for board of education policy. For example, sound classroom structure and function are based on a foundation of caring relationships. Concludes that schools must support and promote…

Perceptions of the school learning environment were examined in relation to three independent variables: the number of fith graders in the school, the percentage of girls of the total number, and the composite SES level. (CK)

Thirteen-year-olds' interest in writing is alterable in educational settings; and is significantly associated with the educational productivity factors of subjects' (N=28,405) peer group, gender, and quantity and quality of instruction. Essay writing performance appears to be associated significantly with a student's ability, peer group, and a…

Presented is a review and synthesis of research in science education conducted with students in grades 6 through 12 during the years 1964-78. In the meta-analysis process, eight constructs linked to learning outcomes were used as the theoretical constructs for the literature selection. The constructs include quality and quantity of instruction;…

Variables that affect the use of knowledge gained by educators at workshops were investigated. Knowledge use is significantly associated with: (1) school climate variables such as staff treatment, goal direction, and problem solving; and (2) workshop features such as clear explanations, job relevance, and amount and qualities of instruction. (FG)