The term "rigor" in education often evokes resistance due to its inconsistent definitions and widespread misconceptions. This study introduces and validates the RIGOR Walk framework, a research- and practitioner-informed tool designed to define, observe, and enhance rigorous learning environments across classrooms. The framework is…

During the 2015-16 academic year, Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) piloted three professional development models for Georgia's Pre-K teachers. All three models focused on the Instructional Support domain of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System™ (CLASS; Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2008) and used resources developed by…

The design research methodology as it has currently developed centers on the creation of "existence proofs," an important first step. What is needed then are the next steps of expanding the methodology to address the design problems of practical implementation prior to the steps involved in scaling up these designs. This article contributes to…

The aims of the present study are to investigate whether and how teachers change in their observed classroom quality (emotional and instructional support, classroom organization, and students' engagement; measured with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System observation measure for secondary school [CLASS-S]; Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2006)…

This document explains Oregon requirements for identification and programming for gifted and talented students. Five simple rules for planning programs and services are listed. Flexible pacing options are discussed, including continuous progress, early entrance, grade skipping, concurrent enrollment, advanced level courses, credit by examination,…

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

Reggio Emilia's pioneering effort in preschool education has been widely replicated throughout Italy, where almost 90% of nation's children aged 3-6 enroll in national, municipal, private preschools. These preschools are unlike any in the United States. There are no building principals or school boards. America must invest more time, money, and…

The New Designs for the Comprehensive High School project should provide for an organization of the school that is aligned with learner outcomes and learning process. Components of the organization must be aligned among themselves. High school models for organizing learners that meet student needs for connectedness and improved interpersonal…

This article overviews a summative evaluation of the School Advisory Center's innovative initial reading curriculum program from 1972 to 1978 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The evaluation design used was Stake's "countenance model" with description and observation matrices. Reading achievement results were disappointing and were attributed…

Four elements of a model of effective instruction are instructional Quality; Appropriate levels of instruction; Incentive; and Time. In the QAIT model, all four elements must be adequate, and improvements in multiple elements may produce larger learning gains than improvement in any one. (SK)

Retirement savings decisions can be influenced by the fund composition of the retirement savings plan. In 2 experiments, strong composition effects were observed, with a larger percentage of resources being invested in stock funds when more stock than bond funds were offered. Although participants changed their allocations repeatedly, the…

This paper proposes that a more flexible approach to the development of teaching groups, accompanied by the necessary changes in staff and facility utilization, would help solve problems arising from declining enrollments in elementary schools. Such problems presently occur in many elementary schools in Western Canada. The problems of educational…

Outlines a nine-step planning model for teachers to follow in order to introduce computer-based education activities in their classrooms. (MP)

This collection of four case studies discusses the work of teachers and their efforts to change their classrooms, schools, and districts. The case studies show that teachers can learn to use their own strengths and talents, knowledge, shared vision, and commitment to student growth and development to effect change. The first case study,…

A review of the literature on the relationship between ability grouping and student achievement reveals that most researchers have found that homogeneous grouping does not significantly affect achievement. A few studies attempted to relate student achievement to teacher ability and instructional strategies; however, they found no significant…