A comparison was made of the verbal praise and criticism behaviors of teachers instructing in different types of classrooms. Fifty-seven teachers were observed in their various seventh and eighth grade classrooms: (1) nonhandicapped, small class size (5-15 students); (2) nonhandicapped, large class size (20 or more students); (3) special (students…

A study was conducted to describe change (and lack of change) in instructional processes and teacher and student behavior when class size was reduced by one-third midway through the school year. Two second grade classes from two schools participated; one school was in rural Virginia, the other an inner-city school in California. Information was…

The relationship between class size and students' evaluations was examined in two experiments conducted at a public and a private university. Results indicated that the relationship between course enrollment and students' evaluations--with the exception of the quality of Group Interaction factor score--tended to be small, with both very small and…

This book synthesizes research evidence to demonstrate that 1) class size is strongly related to pupil achievement; 2) smaller classes are more conducive to improved pupil performance than larger classes; 3) smaller classes provide more opportunities to adapt learning programs to individual needs; 4) pupils in smaller classes have more interest in…

PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION FOR ALL CHILDREN AND TO IMPROVE ETHNIC INTEGRATION OF THE SCHOOLS WERE PRESENTED. INCLUDED WERE PROPOSALS FOR NEW SCHOOL LOCATIONS, FLEXIBLE STUDENT TRANSFER POLICIES, ZONING PLANS, ENCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL INITIATIVE, AND HUMAN RELATIONS PROGRAMS TO BE CONDUCTED FOR PUPILS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY.…

To determine the class size and teaching load of secondary teachers of English in New York state, the Research Committee of the State English Council mailed 1,093 questionnaires to chairmen of English Departments in the state's registered public and private secondary schools. The 694 usable replies--representing 4,410 full-time English…

Along with general information on the 1966-67 Title I compensatory education programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District and on the instruments used in evaluation the effectiveness of these programs, this report contains descriptions of individual activities: (1) language arts development and reading remediation (also information on…

Reducing class size was considered an important element in a revised health course at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania). However, reducing class size to approximately 15 students per class would require 38 sections, more than the health faculty could handle. To recruit additional instructors, the course was marketed to faculty and administrators…

Behind this discussion of minority achievement is a story of one who transcended poverty and rose to the top of American education. Carol Swain advises that a student from a poor family should not be penalized because her parents are not able to involve themselves in school. This and other recommendations on policy reflect a profoundly personal…

A review of the literature on compensatory education programs was conducted to determine the effects of their following design features: (1) instructional setting; (2) class size; (3) ability grouping; and (4) various types of instructors. Remedial instruction in reading, language arts, and mathematics for elementary school students was…

Recent research by Smith and Glass indicates that academic achievement is often correlated with class size. Findings from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study suggest that teachers can do a better job with smaller classes partly because they are able to individualize instruction. Yet the possibility of reducing class size significantly is…

This research brief summarizes a report by Christopher Jepsen and Steven Rivkin, "Class Size Reduction, Teacher Quality, and Academic Achievement in California Public Elementary Schools" (2002) [ED497298]. Intuitively, class size reduction is a good idea. Parents support it because it means that their children will receive more…

The use of recent college graduates as volunteer teachers has increased in recent years with the growth of the Teach for America program and alternative middle schools for at-risk children from low income homes. Very few studies to date have investigated the effects of the use of such teachers on student learning and engagement in school. The…

Students, faculty, administration, and community members of three Iowa rural school districts were interviewed to identify educational issues in their communities. The results of the Iowa investigation are compared with the results of the Claremont Graduate School investigation published in "Voices from the inside: A report on schooling from…

At Central Park East (CPE) schools in East Harlem, New York City, 90 percent of students graduate from high school and 90 percent of those go on to college. Starting with the CPE success story, this book shows why good education is possible for all children, and why public education is vital to the future of our democracy. Begun in the mid-1970s,…