The purpose of this study was to examine the use of percentile schedules as a method of quantifying the shaping procedure in an educational setting. We compared duration of task engagement during baseline measurements for 4 students to duration of task engagement during a percentile schedule. As a secondary purpose, we examined the influence on…

The purpose of this action research project report was to decrease off-task behavior through a dot/point reward system and portfolio reflections. Students involved in this research were in second, fifth, and sixth grade. There were a total of 85 student participants and 35 teacher participants. The dates of this research began on September 4, 2007…

Time on task, with its twin elements of purposeful use of "time" and rededication to ensuring the quality of the "task," presents educators at all levels with the opportunity to effect change through relatively straightforward means. The purpose of this article is to highlight several aspects of using time effectively through a series of…

Factors affecting students' grades in principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics students are analyzed from the data collected in two public universities. Results indicate that gender, number of hours worked, SAT scores, number of missed classes, recommending the course to a friend, instructors, being a junior, number of economics courses…

Using a low-inference observational instrument, the authors empirically described and compared pedagogical behaviors in bilingual and structured English-immersion programs serving Spanish-speaking English language learners in a large urban school district in Southeast Texas. The two programs included both intervention/control of each type during…

This article systematically reviews research on the achievement outcomes of four types of approaches to improving the reading success of children in the elementary grades: reading curricula, instructional technology, instructional process programs, and combinations of curricula and instructional process. Study inclusion criteria included use of…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 calls for several changes in the K-12 education system in the United States. It focuses on evidence-based educational practices for schools in the United States. This study was part of a large-scale, 8-year research project that examined the quality of classroom instruction from three elementary schools…

The paper summarizes findings from four studies on the referral process for students with academic and social/behavioral problems and several observational investigations on students' academic responding time. Research on referral addresses such aspects as reasons for referral, causes ascribed for difficulties, pre-referral classroom intervention,…

Sixteen elementary students were observed systematically over 2 entire school days to examine the nature of instruction and academic responding times for elementary learning disabled (LD) students during resource room and mainstream classroom instruction. Data were recorded on six categories in 10 second intervals. Results indicated that in the…

The effects of a self-recording procedure on time on task and academic productivity of two institutionalized behavior disordered adolescents were investigated. Daily observations were made using time sampling to assess attention to task, and the number of mathematics problems solved correctly was recorded. Treatment encouraged the use of a…

Data on attention span, engaged rates, grade levels, and achievement, obtained from the Follow Through Longitudinal Study, were analyzed to examine relationships among the factors which tend to identify exemplary practices schools can adopt to increase the impact of the available time on student achievement. The sample included low income students…

To increase students' time-on-task, the author uses organizational strategies that apply to the laboratory and to the classroom: planning, goal definition and motivation, and mechanics. (JOW)

Summarizes research on how time is used in vocational-technical classes and how teachers can increase time on task. Found that secondary students spend less than three percent and postsecondary students less than one percent of class time on basic skills. (SK)

Examines effectiveness of self-recordings as the only intervention component within the self-control paradigm for increasing on-task behavior of four behaviorally handicapped students (10-12 years old). Results indicated that more of the intervals were scored on-task when self-recording was in effect than during baseline. Follow-up data indicated…

Discusses and makes recommendations concerning the quality use of available school time. Focuses on administrative scheduling for maximum classroom time; teacher management of classroom time for maximum instructional time; teacher planning of instruction for maximum student time on task; and teacher creativity. Provides an instrument for…