Findings from two studies indicate that the nature of Canadian children's environments within their families, schools, neighborhoods, and communities has very strong effects on children's development and the prevalence of childhood vulnerability. Rather than stemming primarily from poverty, childhood vulnerability may arise from the environments…

Discusses research (Tennessee Study of Class Size) that determined the effects of smaller class size in the earliest grades on short- and long-term pupil performance. The 4-year study assessed the performance of over 6,500 students who attended K-3 classrooms having differing numbers of students and found evidence of short- and long-term benefits…

Discusses the elements of a successful English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) bridge program to assist students seeking certification as nursing assistants. The article focuses on unique situations requiring special needs assessment and on the relationship between ESL and basic skills instruction. The keys to success include small class size and a…

The study explored the effects of two kindergarten program organization factors--length of school day and class size--on kindergartners' reading, math and general knowledge achievement at the end of the kindergarten year. Two waves of data were drawn from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) with an…

A 3-YEAR EXPERIMENTAL PRIMARY-GRADE READING PROGRAM CONDUCTED WITH A 50 PERCENT REDUCTION OF READING CLASS SIZE WAS EVALUATED IN THE RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE YEARS 1962-1965. TEST SCORES WERE ANALYZED FOR 656 CHILDREN IN THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP WHO HAD 2 OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM AND FOR…

This kindergarten through grade 2 program, intended to prevent the development of educational deficits, proposed to utilize the main features of the More Effective Schools and the All Day Neighborhood Schools programs in order to (1) increase the academic level of children in poverty areas, (2) involve the parents in that primary objective, and…

Problem areas with the curriculum at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School were identified: imbalance in class hours in the academic schedule, excessive number of lectures, and need for more small group sessions during the basic science education. (MLW)

This report summarizes research on the effects of class size reduction, outlines lessons learned from large-scale class size reduction initiatives in California and Wisconsin, and draws out implications of the research and lessons for class size reduction in North Carolina. The evidence that smaller classes promote increased learning is strongest…

This report discusses the activities and outcomes of Special Instructional Assistance (SIA) an early intervention, prevention program designed to help Georgia students with identified developmental delays overcome the effects of those delays on academic achievement. The central tenet of the program is to provide more individualized instruction to…

During 1999/2000, the Saginaw, Michigan public schools implemented a reduced class size program in grades 1 and 2. At grade 1 (23 rooms), reduced-size classes were maintained at no more than 18 pupils; at grade 2 (5 rooms), the limit was 21 pupils. Comparison classes were identified to assess the impact of the program. Students in both conditions…

Tennessee's Project STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio), a large longitudinal project involving students in kindergarten through third grade, has provided important information about class-size effects on pupil achievement and development. The project showed that small classes provided higher student outcomes and better student behaviors than…

Interviews with teachers of 17 small first-grade classes at 10 Edmonton (Alberta) schools found that teachers drew on the contextual benefits of small classes to support students' skill development in a creative and integrated curriculum. Teachers used individualization; active learning; integration of reading, writing, and speaking; and a variety…

Supported by Saint Paul and the Northern States Power Company, two Minnesota secondary teachers developed a pilot program, the Power League, aimed at returning 16- to 21-year olds to school. The City Academy grew out of students' requests for individual learning plans, an intimate learning community, and a sound school restructuring rationale.…

Debunks two myths: the United States spends more on its schools than other nations; and money makes no difference in student achievement. The United States provides more school services than other countries do. Research shows a strong expenditure/academic-achievement correlation. Test scores rise when districts use money to reduce class size and…