Uses student scores on Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in 18 countries to examine the relationship between class size and student achievement. Finds that with the exception of two countries--Greece and Iceland--reduction in smaller class had no effect on test scores. Suggests that class-size effect is related to teacher…

The National Education Association has strongly supported the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since its inception in 1965. But the law's most recent reauthorization, the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, is fundamentally flawed, writes NEA President Reg Weaver. Weaver offers NEA's recommendations for revising the law and addressing these…

During the 1960's financial problems began to infiltrate colleges and universities across the country. Demands began to pour in for higher student/faculty ratios in order to cut back the educational costs. Despite arguments that such action would decrease the quality of higher education, many colleges and universities increased their class size.…

A school board member, pursuing literature findings on the relationship between classroom size and student achievement/quality instruction, discovers that data support "any hypotheses." The investigator concluded that educational research does not reflect actual student-teacher classroom interactions. (CJH)

High quality evaluation research has demonstrated that smaller classes with a heterogeneous student composition can increase academic achievement and close the achievement gap. Research suggests that changes occur in the classroom naturally as a result of smaller size without efforts by teachers or students to do anything different. With fewer…

The aims of lectures for large groups of mathematics students are examined. Various matters pertaining to effective lecturing (selection of content and student feedback, for example) are explored, and the future of large group lectures is discussed. (SD)

IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION, SEVERAL VARIETIES OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION HAVE BEGUN IN OKLAHOMA CITY. IN FOUR LARGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, HALF OF THE PUPILS' TIME HAS BEEN SPENT IN FAIRLY LARGE GROUPS AND THE OTHER HALF IN SMALLER, CONVENTIONAL-SIZE GROUPS. SMALL GROUPS WERE USED FOR TEACHING THE 3R'S. SCIENCE, ART, MUSIC,…

Suggestions for counteracting the effect of large enrollments in freshman personal health care classes include alternate scheduling of large group/small group meetings and the use of taped presentations by guest speakers. (MJB)

Studied connections between class size and teaching interactions using a multimethod approach and data from a longitudinal study of more than 10,000 children and their teachers over 3 years. Results show, overall, that in smaller classes, there is more individualized teacher support for learning. Interprets results in the context of teacher time…

Uses an analysis of small- and large-class differences as a framework for planning for and teaching a large class. Analyzes the process of developing and offering an organizational behavior class to 141 college students. Suggests ways to improve teaching effectiveness by minimizing psychological and physical distances, redistributing resources,…

This article seeks to address the challenge of activating the seven educational resources, ordered by Justice Leland DeGrasse in the case "Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) v. State of New York," into effective teaching and learning methods, and mobilize the constructs advanced by the improved school finance framework as an analytical…

This book contains a collection of essays involving new research on class-size reduction. Six chapters include: (1) "Reducing Class Size in Public Schools: Cost-Benefit Issues and Implications" (John F. Witte); (2) "Making Policy Choices: Is Class-Size Reduction the Best Alternative?" (Doug Harris and David N. Plank); (3) "Smaller Classes, Lower…

Tennessee's Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio) analyzes pupil achievement and development in 3 class types: small (15 students), regular (23 students), and regular with a full-time aide, following a cohort of pupils from kindergarten through grade 3. Preliminary results show statistically significantly advantages for students in…

Budget cuts lead to demands for "teaching smarter," which means larger classes, less student-contact time, more technological delivery, and student self-direction. However, social interaction is essential for learning, and intellectual independence does not happen automatically. Genuine commitment to facilitating adult learning and more…

Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers from Fairfax County Public Schools express their views about reducing class size. Teachers from all grade levels said that reduced class size increased student learning and enhanced their teaching effectiveness, whereas large classes had the opposite effect. Lists four policy recommendations.…