A survey of state supervisors conducted to determine state policies regarding class size in industrial arts revealed that (1) 16 states have some form of recommendations/guidelines for facilities and (2) 22 of the 36 responding states have guidelines regarding maximum enrollment for industrial arts. (LRA)

Among the variables examined were vocalizing to a child, vocalizing to a teacher, teaching child with approval, physically restraining child, and moving. Among findings were that group size was not significant for children's behavior but was significant for teachers' behavior. (SBH)

This article is condensed from the topical kit, "NEA Focus: Class Size--A Critical Factor in Quality Education." It cites research on the effects of class size on classroom environment, pupil attitudes, and teacher morale. It also discusses the politics of class size and the advantages of small classes. (SJL)

Describes a method for improving engineering student performance in large classes, based on Bloom's four variables for improvement of the educational process, which include time, intelligence, testing, and personality. Describes manipulation of these variables for a more effective undergraduate engineering program. (DS)

Discusses the importance of laboratory safety in science classrooms. Urges middle school teachers to address class size in an effort to establish and maintain a safe working environment. Answers a teacher's question related to having newts and salamanders in the classroom. (SOE)

Presents the results of a study where researchers noted the correct answers on quizzes, returned the quizzes and allowed students to grade them, and noted discrepancies in the scores. Reveals that cheating is unrelated to gender, religion, or overall grade point average, but positively associated with poor performance in class. (MJP)

Urges band directors to restructure school band programs as a basic part of the overall curriculum to gain a more secure position in the schools. Encourages directors to insist on manageable class sizes, to focus on individual student learning, to teach from organized and specific curricula, and to evaluate learning outcomes. (LS)

Overall teaching effectiveness (OTE) was computed from student evaluations of teacher performance in a university business school. Class size, teaching assistants, and perception of class difficulty did not negatively affect OTE, but students' grade expectations had a significant influence. (SK)

A survey of 100 regular classroom teachers found that teacher participation in the mainstreaming process, rather than availability of specific classroom modifications, was an important factor in their accepting elementary-age handicapped students into their classrooms. Of the modifications surveyed, most desired were reduced class size, support…

Given the need for school administrators to exercise fiscal restraint and pare down expenses before recommending tax increases, this article provides information concerning trends in class size, school building renovation, energy economies, teacher and administrator layoffs, and state budgets. (MLH)

The paper describes a model of teachers' attitudes toward integrating children with moderate learning difficulties based on interviews with 550 teachers in Arizona and the United Kingdom. The model has four factors: traumatic experiences with the handicapped, class size, the "what-happened yesterday" factor, and leadership. (Author/DB)

This article reports the Project STAR interview study that examined changes in K-3 teacher perceptions after teaching for a year in small classes or regular classes with aides. Teachers believed small classes or aides changed teaching and learning. They became more effective and satisfied and provided more individual attention. (SM)

Discusses the effects of reducing class size on student achievement. Studies indicate smaller classes have more positive effects than larger ones, but the effects are small. Reduced class size may improve school tone and morale, but it is not an adequate policy alone for significantly accelerating student achievement. (SM)

Discusses Tennessee's Project STAR and other research on class size, student achievement, and public policy. Findings provided no support for the idea that 12 years of small classes would produce significant increase in student achievement. However, disadvantaged minority students seemed to benefit significantly from small classes. (SM)

Pupils (N=1,755) in 232 elementary school classes in Tennessee participated in a 3-year longitudinal study of the effects of reduced class size on reading and mathematics performance. The small-class setting increased performance significantly in both mathematics and reading, and it had an especially strong impact in inner-city schools.…