Many authors recommend various praise to reprimand ratios for teachers to use to manage their classrooms (e.g., Flora, 2000; Nafpaktitis, Mayer, & Butterworth, 1985; Wheldall, 2005); however, these recommendations are based on correlational data or secondary findings from studies not directly manipulating the praise to reprimand ratio. The…

This study examined children's engagement in a primary school class when no additional help was present, when parents were involved normally, and when parents and staff were following RM (Room Management) procedures. Comparisons indicate useful gains in engagement when employing RM. (Author/CT)

This booklet focuses upon ways in which a teacher can increase the amount of time students apply themselves to learning. Methods are presented for observing how much time students actually spend learning, for identifying which students are off-task, and for selecting teaching methods to increase students' learning time. Contents include…

An attitude that students could, and would, master their lessons resulted in raised student test scores and improved school discipline at a Florida elementary school. Increasing time on task and dividing lessons into manageable blocks contributed to the school atmosphere. (MLF)

Individualized instructional contracts are described as a useful approach to increasing on-task behaviors of mildly handicapped students in the regular classroom. Their step-by-step design and implementation are outlined. A blank contract form and sample contract of activities are provided. (Author/JW)

A teacher describes the organization of her resource room program for learning disabled elementary grade students emphasizing increased academic learning time through structured direct instruction and independent work time, activities to reinforce individual and small group instruction, and systematic material storage and recordkeeping. (DB)

A classwide peer tutoring procedure was implemented in an urban elementary school classroom of 23 students, to improve students' spelling performance. Results indicated the untrained or collateral tutoring behaviors increased the academic response frequencies of three tutees and the weekly spelling achievement of one target tutee. (Author/DB)

A study involving an elementary student with learning disabilities evaluated the effectiveness of a high-probability request sequence on compliance to a request for completion of a math assignment. High probability requests were effective in reducing the latency to compliance but only minimally affected duration of engagement. (Contains five…

Evaluated the effect of a response cost lottery procedure on the percentage of on-task behavior and accuracy of academic work of three fourth-grade students. Although contingencies were attached primarily to behavior, both on-task behavior and academic performance measures increased in treatment conditions. (Author)

(The paper reports on implications of classroom research for class management techniques especially in classes in which handicapped students are mainstreamed. Findings demonstrating a conflict between giving attention to individual children and keeping general engagement high are identified. Recommended room management (RM) procedures are reported…

This study evaluated the effect of a comprehensive training program for teachers based on Madeline Hunter's Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP). To examine the question of implementation, teachers in the first through fourth grades in Napa Valley elementary schools were observed teaching two reading and two mathematics classes before and…

Organization of materials and stimuli presented on classroom walls can enhance acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of concepts presented to students, according to a limited study of elementary (including some special needs) students who were compared with students taught in a traditional situation. (CB)

The effects of a simple timeout procedure on the eye gouging and head wagging behavior of a totally blind, seven-year-old child were studied. Parent and staff reports suggested that the reduction in manneristic behaviors was associated with the emergence of more acceptable and age appropriate social behavior. (SEW)

This report contains the synthesis of Research on Instructional Effectiveness in Elementary Schools (RUETE). The emphasis of the research fellows was on large scale, classroom-based studies related to student achievement. Current research in the areas of active teaching behaviors, activity and task stuctures, and academic learning time is…

Results of a study of five subjects (ages 7-9) in a multicategorical resource room employing a token economy indicated that the addition of a daily review of classroom rules resulted in an overall time-on-task improvement of 12% and a 50% reduction of instances of disruptive "talkout." (Author/JW)