In this paper, academic efficiency is operationally defined and a methodology for measuring it at the school level is described. Academic efficiency is defined as the extent to which a school utilizes its time for the academic development of all its students. The measure of academic efficiency must include three elements: time, students, and…

A study examined elementary school writing instruction to determine (1) how frequently students are writing, (2) when in the curriculum writing occurs, and (3) in what forms the writing occurs. Data were collected in 75 elementary classrooms in 25 midwestern schools during a 15-day period. The data deviated little from what D. Graves reported in…

The paper integrates results from three studies that examined learning disabled (LD) and regular education students' academic responding time in different instructional arrangements: (1) high, middle, and low reading group placement, (2) regular and resource room placement, and (3) special education service level placement. Sixty-nine second-,…

The practicum addressed the needs of 3- to 5-year-old language learning disabled (LLD) children who required more individualization in their curriculum and longer time on task. The practicum goals were: (1) to address 80% of the children's short term individualized education program (IEP) goals; (2) to increase the children's independent time on…

The validity of interval and time sampling methods of measuring student engaged time was investigated in a study estimating the actual time students spent engaged in relevant motor performance in physical education classes. Two versions of the interval Academic Learning Time in Physical Education (ALT-PE) instrument and an equivalent time sampling…

This study examines the nature of the highly variable black-white difference across diverse tests and indicates the major systematic source of this between-population variation, namely, Spearman's g. Eleven large-scale studies (discussed in the appendix), each one comprising anywhere from 6 to 13 diverse tests, show a significant and substantial…

A study was conducted to provide descriptive information about the quantity of classroom time used for teaching reading and the interruptive events that occur during the scheduled reading time. Data were gathered from 148 public and private school teachers representing all grade levels and a wide range of teaching experience. The subjects each…

During the 1982-83 school year, the Early Childhood Education Branch of the Maryland State Department of Education conducted three inservice conferences for project directors, supervisory personnel, school administrators, and teacher coordinators involved in the Extended Elementary Education Program. The conferences provided information concerning…

Individualized instructional contracts are described as a useful approach to increasing on-task behaviors of mildly handicapped students in the regular classroom. Their step-by-step design and implementation are outlined. A blank contract form and sample contract of activities are provided. (Author/JW)

Thirty-four third and fourth grade students were observed over two entire school days to examine the nature of instruction and academic responding time for LD and non-LD students in regular classrooms. Across students, a typical school day was characterized by a limited amount of academic responding (about 45 minutes). Comparison of LD and non-LD…

Thirty third and fourth grade students were observed over two entire school days to examine the nature of instruction and academic responding time for students of high, middle, and low teacher-perceived behavioral competence. Across all groups, it was found that students spent about 45 minutes in a typical school day actively engaged in academic…

This report provides descriptive statistical information from Phase III-B of the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study. Within the sample of second and fifth grade classrooms in public schools in California, approximately six students were identified as target students to be studied during the school year. These students were observed approximately…

A teacher describes the organization of her resource room program for learning disabled elementary grade students emphasizing increased academic learning time through structured direct instruction and independent work time, activities to reinforce individual and small group instruction, and systematic material storage and recordkeeping. (DB)

A study investigated the effect of scholastic level, teacher orientation on a control/autonomy continuum, and pupil gender on 459 elementary school students' intrinsic motivation to engage in school work. Results indicated that teacher orientation toward autonomy enhanced the intrinsic motivation of girls on two of three dimensions, and that of…

Four third-grade male students with behavior problems were given tutoring sessions by sixth-grade tutors either contingent on or not contingent on classroom on task behavior. Contingent tutoring always produced improved on-task behavior, while noncontingent tutoring did not, suggesting that tutoring was an effective reinforcer. (Author/DB)