The report summarizes a year long observational study of special education programs in one district's 12 elementary schools (Queens, New York). Data were gathered using observational time samples of teacher, student, and paraprofessional activity and student time on task; descriptive notes of the classroom context; ratings of 15 dimensions of…

A study examined the effectiveness of a program designed to increase literature appreciation and recreational reading of intermediate grade students. Subjects, 460 students an all-black midwestern city, recorded the amount of time spent reading at home, were observed by their teachers during reading periods to evaluate on-task behavior, were…

This guide is designed to present a variety of techniques that can be used in conducting classroom observations. Observation techniques are clustered under four major teaching/learning variables: time on task, teacher talk, classroom interaction, and organization and management. Techniques are presented with an overview that details the rationale…

An 8-week observational study of the behavior, on and off the computer, of a class of seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents was performed. In addition, an in-depth case study of a single student revealed that the student was able to maintain the most on-task behavior when paired with another student on a computer activity. Analysis of the…

This booklet is designed for elementary and middle school teachers to use in teaching students how to improve their test-taking skills. The authors draw the analogy between an athlete preparing for the big race and a young student getting ready for an important test. The central character is an underdeveloped test-taking tiger who, after going…

This homework study was undertaken to assess current homework practices in the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and the extent to which homework is utilized as a tool for effective instruction. Twelve elementary schools, six middle schools, and six high schools divided among low, middle, and high achievement levels were…

A conceptual framework of attention can be organized around three functions of attention: determining how much capacity is to be deployed (attention allocation), for how long (attention maintenance), and to which potential information sources (attention direction). Within this framework, several critical distinctions can be made between processes…

Data for this study were collected by observing 60 secondary school English classes over a four-month period. The principals of six schools chose 15 of their most effective teachers to be observed. Four questions were addressed: (1) How do teachers and students spend classroom time together?; (2) What instructional processes are used most often?;…

This report provides descriptive statistical information from Phase III-B of the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study. Within the sample of second and fifth grade teachers in classrooms in public schools in California, approximately six students were identified as target students to be studied during the school year. These students were observed…

Observation of behavior differences between 15 elementary school learning-disabled (LD) and 15 non-disabled girls in the regular classroom showed that LD girls spent less time doing schoolwork, that teachers did not spend more time interacting with LD girls, and that teachers responded less frequently to call-outs from LD girls. (Author/CB)

Uses responses of 77 teachers from eight Illinois rural high schools to 36-item survey to assess amount of time students devote to homework; existence of school homework policy; purpose and type of homework assignments; teacher review, feedback, and grading of homework; and value and significance of assigning homework. (NEC)

Indicates a reasonable range of individual differences in the dark interval threshold (DIT). Reveals a significant interaction between DIT and illumination level in their effect on reading accuracy. Finds that children with a short DIT read more accurately in high rather than low illumination and that this performance was reversed for long DIT…

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)

Suggestions for teachers who wish to increase academic learning time for learning-disabled students include: reducing transition time; shortening recess or free time; creating more teacher-led instructional groups; teaching more and testing less; increasing teacher questioning; increasing teacher enthusiasm; improving seatwork tasks; giving…

A self-monitoring treatment (via taped cues) was used to increase time-on-task behavior of two emotionally disturbed and three mentally retarded elementary grade children, all of whom were easily distracted from class activities. In general, the program resulted in improved attention to task and academic productivity. (CB)