Literature on the relation between class size and student achievement is reviewed, and policy alternatives are suggested. Class size reduction strategies, focusing on individual or small group tutoring, are proposed for primary and secondary instruction. Implementing these strategies requires ambitious staff development programs. (SLD)

Fifty mainstream teachers in grades 3-12 were surveyed concerning their experience and educational background, their attitudes toward teaching effectiveness, and their mainstream classes. Both teacher attitudes toward personal teaching efficacy and class size predicted variance in the teachers' selection of educational strategies for their…

Observes primary grade teachers and students to determine if reduced class size alters the typical organization and procedures of reading programs. Discusses implications for schools and classrooms in terms of helping school personnel clarify their beliefs about reading and instruction and assisting them to act on their beliefs. (MG)

Discusses the effects of group size, staff-child ratios, and staff training and qualifications on the quality of child care. (BB)

The common assumption that Japanese students do well academically because their schools are more academically oriented than American schools is misguided. Results of a study comparing middle-school teachers in Japan and the United States indicated that American teachers allocated a greater proportion of their time to academic work than did…

Data from 20,000 student ratings of 224 undergraduate courses at the University of Canterbury (England) were analyzed to explore the relationship between the ratings and course characteristics. The ratings were found to be stable and significantly related to academic field, class size, percentage of full-time students, academic year of the course,…

Language teachers serve as facilitators/consultants in managing group instruction in the communicative classroom. Four main aspects are described: choosing appropriate tasks; organizing groups; monitoring activities; and providing feedback. (Contains eight references.) (LB)

Examined what actually transpires in California's reduced-size classrooms, using systematic classroom observations and teacher and student interviews at four elementary schools. Results indicated that, overall, teachers still used whole-class instruction (though they perceived they used varied instructional strategies). Most learning activities…

Highlights federal funding to reduce class size to improve academic performance, particularly for low-income and minority students. Details three studies, as well as teacher reports supporting the benefits of smaller class size. Suggests that reducing class size represents a preventive rather than remedial approach, but that class size must go…

Discusses a survey unit that has been very successful with conversation classes of low-intermediate university English-as-a-foreign-language students. It can easily be adapted for students of various ages and proficiency levels by varying the types of questions as well as class sizes and by changing the number of questions. (Author/VWL)

Explains a model to analyze direct teaching cost per student at the class level in the final two years of secondary schooling in Victoria, Australia. The model provides predictions for class size and unit cost for each learning area for various enrollment levels. Cost predictions for foreign-language classes were twice that of English classes.…

Summarizes several areas of research related to second language class size, organized by studies of elementary and secondary class size, English as a Second Language, general variables of second language acquisition, and large class studies. (Author/VWL)

Sixty-one junior and senior high school teachers responded to measures of perceptions of inclusion, needs for effective inclusion practice, and knowledge of inclusion. Teachers felt inadequately prepared for inclusion and indicated their primary need was for more specific inclusion training. They also believed that reducing workloads would be of…

High school improvement is possible with visionary leadership and common goals. Ayer (Massachusetts) High School is a small, comprehensive school that has restructured itself to meet 21st century needs. Revolutionary changes have occurred in instructional improvement, core curriculum, technology education, class size, graduation requirements,…

Outlines the Association of Departments of English's position on: (1) the balance between teaching and scholarship in the lives of professors; (2) the use of outside reviewers for personnel decisions; (3) class size and workload for college and university English teachers; and (4) use of part-time and full-time adjunct faculty. (TB)