This publication presents seven facts about spending and performance in the New York City public schools. The topics addressed include: (1) overall spending is rising, with the rate rising particularly rapidly in the past 5 years; (2) the spending gap between schools in the city and in other localities is widening, with much of this due to the…

Reducing the number of students in a class, especially in the early grades, is one approach educators have taken to improve student achievement. Class-size reduction programs have been implemented at the state, district, and individual school levels. This pamphlet defines class-size reduction, provides an overview of class-size reduction research,…

This study assessed the effectiveness of the Classroom Assistant Initiative, launched in 1998 and implemented over 3 years. The initiative provided funding for up to 5,000 new classroom assistants in Scottish elementary schools and issued guidelines for their use. The 2-year evaluation, which began in January 2000, used surveys of education…

This study examined the impact of smaller class size on elementary student achievement, focusing on types of instructional strategies utilized, student time on task, academic focus of the classroom, and types of interactions between teachers and students and between students and students. Two long-term class size reduction sites in North Carolina…

This book contains vignettes and observations provided by teachers who conduct small classes in primary grades. Designed for school leaders, teachers, administrators, students, and others who care about the future of education, the text presents findings from the Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR), the DuPont Study, and the Lasting Benefits…

Exploring the class-size issue, this paper focuses on the primary grades and asks questions such as "does a reduction in class size promote an increase in academic achievement?" and "how substantial does the reduction in numbers have to be in order for a significant increase to occur?" The paper surveys debates on class size…

This study surveyed perceptions of parents, teachers, and principals concerning reduced class size classrooms (RS) with first and second graders versus traditional size classrooms (TS). Participating in the study were 63 RS parents, 80 TS parents, 12 RS teachers, 13 TS teachers, and 14 principals in the Saginaw, Michigan school district. Response…

The relationship between school size and students' achievement in reading and mathematics by school level and gender was studied in order to illuminate issues of school size and equity and alternatives such as school-within-a-school plans. Data on 251,049 students from kindergarten through 12th grade were collected from 291 elementary, middle, and…

Since 1998, Florida voters have passed three amendments that pressure state officials to increase education spending. The 1998 amendment introduced constitutional language establishing the importance of education to the state and its citizens, requiring "adequate provision?for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free…

Discussed disadvantages of efficiency approach to education. Distinguishes between the concepts of consuming and generating ideas, between a child's behavior and his experiences and between temporary excitement and sustained interest in regard to learning. (ST)

Theoretically justifies that the optimum class size for foreign language instruction is between 5 and 9 students. (DS)

To improve the education offered freshmen and sophomores, this article advises colleges and universities to separate the lower division into a "general college" sponsored by a staff whose sole responsibility is the lower division student. (IR)

Describes how a Wisconsin agricultural journalism course for nonmajors achieves success, despite large enrollments, through a heavy diet of writing exercises, review questions, out-of-class help, and student presentations. (HOD)

The real basics are not the three Rs, rock-hard discipline, or spoon-fed values. Instead, they are strong, capable, well-trained teachers who can work in an enlightened and supportive environment, encouraged by a caring public. (Author)