The expansion of early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs has generated increasing interest in establishing appropriate structural standards that can optimize child outcomes. To contribute to this discourse, this study aims to investigate the characteristics and influencing factors of classroom quality. Ninety-six classrooms (202…

Using multilevel modeling, moral reasoning was investigated with respect to individual characteristics and school-related (i.e. university/college) factors. Researchers observed significant effects for the individual characteristic of political orientation. Additionally, all investigated school-related factors were significant. Only main effects…

With Response to Intervention (RTI) increasingly used for identification for special education services, interventions are systematically being implemented and evaluated to improve achievement for students with disabilities. This descriptive study provides baseline data on RTI interventions and tiered instruction from 15 school districts (5 large,…

This paper proposes a taxonomy of school funding formula elements which distinguishes between funding based on individual student needs and the needs of populations of students based on particular characteristics or labels. This builds on the theoretical approach proposed by Caldwell, Levacic and Ross (1999) where school funding formulae can be…

Best practice in the field of communication, especially intercultural communication, emphasizes seeking to understand and enter your interlocutor's perspective. This practice would seem directly applicable to college faculty and staff when they interact with students, especially given the cultural and ethnic diversity in college student…

In the era of mobile devices and services, researchers in the educational domain have been interested in how to support learning with mobile technology in both local and global contexts. Recent human-computer interaction (HCI) research in the educational domain has particularly focused on how to develop mobile learning services and how to evaluate…

Small classes in grades K-3 boost student academic performance in all subjects and in prosocial behavior. Results are both short- and long-term. One study explored the theory that a major cause behind improved academic achievement involves improved student behavior, which increases student engagement in the classroom. Two other studies provide…

The main purpose of this study was to examine the differences between the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) and the actual and average class size (CS) at the elementary level in public schools in a single state (Michigan) and to clarify the ramifications for educational leaders. Another purpose of the study was to clarify the referents for the concepts of…

The Lasting Benefits Study is following up the effects of small class size on the achievement of elementary school students in Tennessee's Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio Project (Project STAR). Results show improved achievement for participants in small classes up through grade 3 that last at least through grades 4 and 5. (SLD)

The history of Education in most developing Countries shows that higher education has grown tremendously. In 1960's a Country such as Kenya had only one University but today, she boasts of seven public Universities and very many private ones. With expansion, student's numbers have increased. As a result of the needs and demands of a growing…

Class size in elementary grades has taken on added importance recently. Research on the topic is finally getting some attention. Legislative and administrative actions to reduce deficits are pushing for larger class sizes, in addition to eliminating nonessential curricular activities, such as music, drama, and art. In Florida, various institutions…

The term "class size" refers to the number of students who regularly appear in a teacher's classroom and for whom that teacher is primarily responsible and accountable. "Pupil-teacher ratio" (PTR), in contrast, is an estimate commonly computed by dividing the number of students at a site by the number of professionals who serve or work there.…

This paper provides a summary of class-size research, most of it conducted since 1970. Points are presented as suggestions for policy, for use in schools, and as a basis for added research. Combining the results of various studies allows for some speculation about the possibilities for implementing small class size in the elementary grades.…

Every Kentucky school is expected to achieve the goal of proficiency on the states Accountability Index by the year 2014. Many schools may not reach the proficiency goal in time without a broad, multifaceted approach to enhance educational outcomes. This study explored the possibility that expenditures for different purposes can become a policy…

The use of a robust statistical technique to implement a decentralized faculty allocation procedure at a medium size public university is discussed. The least median of squares (LMS), a regression technique introduced by Rousseeuw, was used instead of the usual least sum of squares, or least squares. The LMS technique was used to assist in the…