Seven separate reports survey the literature and current thinking in the following topic areas: optimum school and class sizes, organization of schools into appropriate grade-level groups, the benefits and disadvantages of ability grouping, the decline in student achievement as measured by standardized tests, the expansion of kindergarten…

The purposes of this study were to learn more about what students do who have one or more of their classes cancelled and to determine the fiscal efficacy of current college procedures with regard to cancelling classes having an enrollment of less than fifteen. A random sample of 918 was drawn from the entire student body as a control group,…

Guidelines for effective public elementary education are proposed by the American Federation of Teachers. The first recommendation concerns the expansion of early childhood education, including pre-kindergarten. Early childhood education should be characterized by small class groups, parent education and involvement, availability of a clinical…

This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of a report concerned with preschoolers and kindergarteners in Tasmania. The committee recommended that preschools should be established as a common extension of the statutory provision for education; a general director should be responsible for the whole area of education…

This review surveys the current literature dealing with the effect of class size on both school finance and educational quality. The literature cited reflects a general agreement on the telling impact of class size on school budgets. However, the material gives little evidence of uniform agreement on the effect of class size on educational…

The validity of seven extenuating circumstances which college teachers provided as explanations for poor ratings by their students was investigated. Class size was the only circumstance producing a statistically significant difference in student ratings of their instructors. (CP)

A recent cost-benefit analysis was made of reduced class size, increased instructional time, computer-assisted instruction, and peer or cross-age tutoring. Tutoring turned out to have the greatest effect on student learning and to be the most cost effective. Implementation of a successful tutoring program is described. (MT)

The article describes the first three years of a pilot program that identifies at-risk sixth graders prior to junior high entrance. In smaller sections of junior high science, social studies, and English classes, teachers incorporate communication and study skills into course content using "effective schools" research, learning strategy…

Discusses how to manipulate a database to create a spreadsheet which can be used to help decide which teaching areas are understaffed and by how much. Focuses on the use of the Lotus 1-2-3 database statistical functions. (TW)

Examines the effects of class size on student achievement in classrooms in which teachers use whole class instruction and those in which students are in ability groups. Results suggest that classroom pedagogical practices mediate the affect of class size on learning. (SA)

Discusses the problems of introducing methodological change into large classes of English as a second language. Argues that teachers need to take account of learners' expectations and introduce change gradually and that the introduction of change should also include an element of learner training. Suggests how this might be done. (SED)

Recent emphasis placed on the cost effectiveness of larger colleges and larger classes is criticized from the point of view that student involvement is more valuable but is difficult to achieve under such circumstances. (MSE)

This study examined classroom behavior of 393 pupils in 26 educable mentally retarded classrooms in regard to differential effects of having approximately 12, 15, and 19 pupils per classroom. Several effects were found in attention and communication, but relatively few were found in disruptive behavior. (Author/BS)

Impressions regarding the teaching of history culled from classroom observations and implications for change that derive from these observations are discussed. Changes must include smaller classes, a reeducation of teachers to increase their knowledge and enthusiasm, and better teaching methods. (RM)

Taking as examples the issues of improving students'"high order thinking skills" and arriving at more equitable teacher salaries and school budgets, the author discusses the need for compromise solutions to widespread problems. (JBM)