Author probed to discover the best size for a school system, individual schools, and individual classrooms. (Author/RK)

Attempts to show that the question of class size is a complex one that should not be dealt with in isolation from such variables as desired quality of education, subject being taught, teacher attitude, total number of professional staff members working with students, and method of instruction. (Author/JN)

Review of the aims, basic precepts and successes of "The Fundamentals of Human Sex and Sex Education" course whose primary function is to teach future sex educators. (IR)

The results of reanalyses of statistical procedures used in the class-size meta-analyses by Glass and Smith are reported. The analyses suggest that the use of suboptimal statistical methods did not greatly affect the results of the meta-analyses by Glass and Smith. (Author/PN)

Discusses areas of conflict resulting from the implementation of the "Education for All Handicapped Children Act." The impact of the act on class size, teacher preparation time, special assignments, and training and licensing is considered. A strategy for increasing teacher union influence on future federal policy development is…

Some countries have no fixed rules about classrooms' physical size or numbers of children taught therein. Italian children attend schools within their catchment area; each class has a maximum number of pupils. New Zealand schools serve all comers, except when crowding threatens. The Dutch government guarantees equal physical and teaching resources…

Discusses the passive role that students often take in large classes and argues for teaching methods such as cooperative learning that place students in a more active learning environment. Examines the advantages and potential drawbacks of cooperative learning for large classes and provides suggestions on preparing for group work. (DDR)

Reviews existing evidence on the relationship between class size and achievement for children in their first years of schooling. Describes a large-scale longitudinal study of these children within English local education authorities. Presents results for achievement progress in literacy and mathematics during the reception year. (BT)

Many governments worldwide have dramatically increased resources devoted to improving educational quality. However, by concentrating on inputs and ignoring incentives within schools, resources have resulted in little overall improvement in student achievement. Reviews U.S. and international evidence on the effectiveness of such input policies,…

Discusses the need for alternative authentic assessment in online, student-centered learning environments for distance education. Topics include defining assessment and evaluation; writing; cognitive assessment; performance assessment; and barriers to alternative assessment, including the need for scoring rubrics, class size, and cost and…

Tennessee's Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio) analyzes pupil achievement and development in 3 class types: small (15 students), regular (23 students), and regular with a full-time aide, following a cohort of pupils from kindergarten through grade 3. Preliminary results show statistically significantly advantages for students in…

Effects of class size on academic achievement were studied for 2 years using 6,572 kindergartners in Tennessee assigned to large classes (22 to 25 students) or small classes (13 to 17 students). Significant benefits of small class size were seen in reading and mathematics achievement, especially for minority students. (SLD)

Examines three types of child care--family day care homes, day care centers, and preschools--in terms of child/staff ratio, group size, and staff training. Discusses advantages and disadvantages for parents of each of the three types of child care. (NH)

Argues that restructuring proposals for primary education in the latest "Education Sector Review" in Papua New Guinea are seriously misguided. Increasing access to primary education might better be achieved by increasing average class size than by overhauling the system. The present subject-based curriculum should be implemented…