The relationship between size and effectiveness of educational unit is examined from two viewpoints: how size has been used in political controversies over educational organization, and research evidence on the effects of different sizes of unit. It is suggested that size has not been used independently of historical or social context to explain…

This study provides an overview of class size research, examples of various class size and pupil-teacher-ratio (PTR) configurations commonly used by practitioners, and the most recent findings of scientifically controlled experimental Tennessee STAR studies. The learning environment is hierarchical in nature, with student-level data influenced by…

This final report on the California Class Size Reduction (CSR) initiative summarizes findings from three earlier reports dating back to 1997. Chapter 1 recaps the history of California's CSR initiative and includes a discussion of what state leaders' expectations were when CSR was passed. The chapter also describes research on class-size reduction…

This report presents data collected from 43 over-capacity elementary schools in the New York City Public School system. The data give information about typical class sizes in the early grades and the cost of an initiative to reduce class size. Of the 1,722 classrooms examined, 56 percent are considered to be overcrowded, and 438 of the city's 723…

This follow-up report revisits the overcrowded classroom issues facing the New York City Public School system after one year's efforts to correct the problem. The study reveals that: (1) 53 percent of all New York City elementary school buildings and annexes are overcrowded and continue to operate at 99 percent or greater capacity; (2) in 10…

Survey data gathered from 230 respondents from a random sample of 500 Ohio public school teachers explores the association between teachers' practice of assigning grades based on nonachievement grading factors and teachers' pupil control orientation (PCI). Responding high school mathematics teachers provided information that relates to the use of…

This theme issue provides a synopsis of the step-by-step recommendations generated by participants at a conference on the implementation of class size reduction. It also contains summaries of the commissioned papers on research and practical knowledge about class size reduction. Recommendations focused on the major topic areas of improving…

This Digest examines school districts' efforts to reap the greatest benefit from smaller classes. Although the report discusses teaching strategies that are most effective in small classes, research has shown that teachers do not significantly change their teaching practices when they move from larger to smaller classes. Smaller classes mean…

This paper summarizes class size research conducted primarily since 1970. The paper discusses various relevant issues for use in policy, in schools, and in additional research. Several studies over the years have focused on: the issue of small being better and less being more and emphasized the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio) education…

Education is a fundamental value of the people of Florida, whose state constitution even calls for a "high-quality system of free public schools." But rather than live up to this commitment, the state--led by Governor Jeb Bush and a Republican legislature--has embarked on a series of programs that undermine public education. This report examines…

This study reports data concerning: (1) enrollments in mathematics; and (2) administrative provisions for instruction in mathematics. The data are for the school year 1951-52 and the first semester of 1952-53. The scope and nature of this investigation were influenced by: (1) suggestions of leaders in mathematics education as to information most…

Examines the distrubution of the human resources of teacher experience and training, and class size among Detroit's schools, with particular emphasis on relationships between the percentage of black students in a school and the quality of its instructional staff. (Author/JM)

Six types of instructional grouping for mathematics teaching are discussed: self-contained classroom, large group, small group, laboratory, independent study, and tutorial. Special sections on team teaching, individualizing instruction, and scheduling are included. (LS)