The California class size reduction program provided schools with cash rewards for K-3 classes of 20 or fewer students. I show how program rules made it possible for schools to save money by using mixed-grade classes to meet class size reduction obligations while maintaining larger average class sizes. I also show that this smoothing of students…

TWO EMPIRICAL STUDIES WERE MADE TO TEST THE DESIRABILITY OF EMPLOYING SOME FORM OF ABILITY GROUPING TO ENHANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN SCHOOLS. THE TWO FIELD STUDIES SPECIFICALLY EXPLORED SOME OF THE MOTIVATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF ABILITY GROUPING AS MANIFESTED IN SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT, REPORTED INTEREST IN SCHOOLWORK, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF…

A comparison of the self concepts and school attitudes of third grade low achievers in homogeneously versus heterogeneously grouped classrooms is made in this study. An extensive review of the literature on ability grouping, self concept (and self concept tests), and school attitudes related to grouping is presented. In the study, low achievers…