Quality rating and improvement systems (QRISs) are designed to assess, improve, and communicate the quality of early care and education programs. Using administrative data, we investigated whether providers that participated in a county-level QRIS saw increases to their global quality (tier) rating, domain-specific quality ratings, and scores on…

The present paper addresses the issue of theory and practice in the implementation of the communicative approach in the context of English as a foreign language teaching in Morocco. It set to evaluate the communicative orientation of English language teaching classrooms in Moroccan secondary schools. This evaluation incorporates the investigation…

Understanding the effects of class size reduction (CSR) has been an enduring issue in education. For the past 3 decades, Project STAR has stimulated research and policy discussions regarding the effects of CSR on a variety of outcomes. Schanzenbach (2007) reviewed STAR studies and concluded that small classes improved student academic outcomes.…

This report gives an overview of the existing evidence base on class size and education in England. In particular, it considers how class sizes have changed over time; the impact of the increase in birth rate on pupil numbers and how this could affect the teacher requirement and class sizes; and the impact of class size on educational outcomes.…

Research on reduced class size and student achievement does not indicate substantial benefits from smaller classes. Some studies show actual problems from class size reduction. Research suggests what happens in the classroom regarding achievement more directly relates to other factors. Quality of instruction may be more important than class size.…

Investigates the effects of student characteristics, class structure, and instructor characteristics on additional economics course selections made by students taking economics principles classes over a three year span at Florida State University (Tallahassee). Concludes that students' characteristics and preferences help to determine their choice…

Reducing the number of students in a class, especially in the early grades, is one approach educators have taken to improve student achievement. Class-size reduction programs have been implemented at the state, district, and individual school levels. This pamphlet defines class-size reduction, provides an overview of class-size reduction research,…

Discusses the effects of reducing class size on student achievement. Studies indicate smaller classes have more positive effects than larger ones, but the effects are small. Reduced class size may improve school tone and morale, but it is not an adequate policy alone for significantly accelerating student achievement. (SM)

Discusses Tennessee's Project STAR and other research on class size, student achievement, and public policy. Findings provided no support for the idea that 12 years of small classes would produce significant increase in student achievement. However, disadvantaged minority students seemed to benefit significantly from small classes. (SM)

Reduction in the size of classes from Kindergarten to Grade 3 was a major Liberal Party campaign promise in Ontario's 2003 provincial election. It was intended to demonstrate a new government's commitment to improving public education. By the 2008-09 school year, the provincial government's goals had been achieved: over 90% of all primary classes…

Research indicates that the relationship between class size and instructional effectiveness depends on a multitude of related variables, such as age level of students, subject matter taught, and instructional methods used. Recent statistical syntheses of this research reveal that the instructional benefits of smaller classes are most significant…

Literature on the relation between class size and student achievement is reviewed, and policy alternatives are suggested. Class size reduction strategies, focusing on individual or small group tutoring, are proposed for primary and secondary instruction. Implementing these strategies requires ambitious staff development programs. (SLD)

Examined what actually transpires in California's reduced-size classrooms, using systematic classroom observations and teacher and student interviews at four elementary schools. Results indicated that, overall, teachers still used whole-class instruction (though they perceived they used varied instructional strategies). Most learning activities…

This report provides a summary of research on the effects of class size on pupil achievement and the classroom environment, and on teacher and public opinion concerning the importance of class size to quality education. Examples of the budgetary impact and policy implications involved with changing class size are provided. Although the research…

The research on the effects of class size is summarized in this review. It includes (1) an introductory examination of class size definitions, statistics, and research design; (2) a summary of the research on class size, including the effects of class size on student achievement for grades K-8 and 9-12 and on the classroom environment; (3) teacher…