This book deals with the challenges of teaching large classes at institutions of higher learning, and addresses such issues as how instruction can be personalized and made more interactive with large numbers of students. The material for the book arose out of a "large classes project" at the University of Maryland, where the subject was…

A survey of special education class size completed by 70% of the states resulted in tables depicting class size guidelines for a number of types of handicapping conditions: hearing impairments, multiple handicaps, mental retardation, orthopedic handicaps, profound handicaps, serious emotional disturbance, speech/language disability, and visual…

Teacher's perceptions of their experiences in teaching small classes or with a full-time teacher's aide are discussed in this report. The study reported was part of Tennessee's Project STAR: a 4-year, longitudinal demonstration policy study. Analyses were conducted on interviews with 86 teachers of small second grade classes, 54 teachers of second…

This paper results from the Oregon Action Plan for Excellence, which defines goals and outcomes of the K-12 school experience. This Physical Education Concept Paper, the first of a series, is presented as a challenge to Oregon physical educators to confront constructively and resolve issues with implications for school physical education programs.…

A review of literature on class size is the purpose of this report. Included are a summary of four meta analyses (Robinson and Wittebols 1986), (Cone 1978), and (Glass and Smith 1978 and 1979); a discussion of research methodologies; recommendations for policy makers; and alternative strategies for class size reduction. Appendices present…

This digest focuses on the articulation of foreign language programs between secondary and higher education. The following questions are addressed: (1) What are urgent reasons for better program articulation?; (2) What forms does articulation take?; (3) What aspects of the educational process does articulation address?; (4) Are there examples of…

This study was designed to determine the effect class size had on the reading achievement of first grade students. During a review of the literature, identified studies were analyzed for evidences of impact on student reading achievement, the instructional program, operational expenditures, and classroom space. The Virginia Beach research study…

Research on the use of sociometric ratings (peer nominations) in predicting achievement and school outcomes is briefly reviewed along with developments in instrumentation. Particular attention is given to a newly revised system of collecting teacher and self ratings along with peer nominations in a comprehensive assessment of the affective and…

This study examined the relationship between test results of students in PRIMETIME first-grade classrooms in Indiana, and the Smith and Glass (1979) class size/achievement model. The class size/achievement model shows the results of a meta-analysis of research on class size which indicated that as class size decreases, achievement increases. The…

Small schools (with enrollments of 300 or less) are being rediscovered as models for effective schools. Currently 26.9% of America's school systems enroll over 500,000 students in more than 26,000 small schools staffed by 50,000 teachers. Small schools have pioneered many educational "innovations": non-graded classrooms, individualized…

Research indicates that the relationship between class size and instructional effectiveness depends on a multitude of related variables, such as age level of students, subject matter taught, and instructional methods used. Recent statistical syntheses of this research reveal that the instructional benefits of smaller classes are most significant…

In order to analyze the productivity of 11 De Anza College extended campus "school sites" (elementary, junior and senior high schools), course offerings, enrollments, class size, and course cancellation data for each site were reviewed. Seventh week enrollments and seven quarters of offerings by the humanities, behavioral science,…

The regulations and guidelines issued by the Office of Education and state education agencies imply that local districts must provide "something extra" with ESEA Title I funds. In many schools, other compensatory education programs also compete for the time of Title I eligible students. In an attempt to determine what the something extra…

With the purpose of supplying information on school district reorganization to school districts in Minnesota, this report begins with an overview of reorganization, including a definition of terms, an investigation of the impetus for reorganization, and a discussion of the manner in which school district reorganization legislation is usually…

THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR COMPENSATORY EDUCATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN LIVING IN AREAS OF HIGH TRANSIENCY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A MEAGER EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND. THE SUGGESTIONS ARE--THAT CLASS SIZE BE LIMITED TO 25 STUDENTS. THAT THE LENGTH OF SCHOOL IN "DIFFICULT" AREAS BE LENGTHENED, AND THAT THE SALARY…