The shift from the traditional self-contained classroom to the departmentalized classroom structure in upper-elementary classrooms is increasing as the pressure to maximize student outcomes is higher than ever for public schools. Teachers prefer departmentalization but findings as to its benefits for students are mixed. This study considers the…

Recent trends indicate a move away from self-contained classrooms and toward content-focused departmentalization in elementary schools. This study takes a snapshot of the existing organizational structures used in elementary schools in one district and explores administrators' beliefs and practices regarding this phenomenon. Our findings suggest…

Individually Guided Education (IGE) is an alternative to the traditional age-graded form of elementary schooling. In a typical IGE school, the principal shares her/his authority with leaders of units in decision-making domains and reaches decision by consensus. The leader of a unit in turn shares his/her authority with unit teachers in making…

The personalizing of the Language Arts instructional program at the Concord High School in Wilmington, Delaware is discussed in terms of a) department organization, b) classroom organization, c) instructional materials, and d) special considerations related to individualizing instruction. (HMD)

This paper explores personalised learning, which is a "new" teaching and learning style in the Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for England in 2004. The research was based on semi-structured interviews with 13 teachers mainly in charge of Key Stage 3 at two 11-18…

A large proportion of teachers throughout the world teach in multigrade classrooms, or classes with more than one grade level. It is reliably predicted that the number of multigrade classes will increase in the future. This paper addresses the issue of teacher education for multigrade. The main thesis of this paper is that the professional…

Describes research testing the hypothesis that complex technologies (or teaching methods) generate more complex organizational structures. Uses two sets of longitudinal data from San Francisco elementary schools. (CK)

Focuses on different kinds of school and classroom organization for teaching reading at the preschool and primary levels. (AEA)

Thorough investigation of scheduling options is needed to facilitate the development of a tailor-made schedule for the small school. The traditional scheduling model usually only works well in urban or suburban schools. When this mass production model is imposed on small schools, student needs become secondary to the dictates of the schedule. The…

The author suggests that the traditional, classroom form of school organization is ineffective for learning and that it wastes valuable school resources. (Author/DN)

Queried 571 elementary school principals in 12 states to determine: (1) the frequency of nontraditional (combination and nongraded) classes; and (2) changes in the use of combination classes during recent years. Found that although combination classes represented 17% of California classrooms, most states contained only 3 to 7%. Nongraded classes…

Presents a framework for understanding the volume and content of socialization messages within primary school classrooms (n=64). Explains that the framework includes five levels of classroom and school organization. Utilizes three methods for data collection: (1) classroom observation; (2) interviews with teachers and principals; and (3) reading…

DESCRIBED IS THE REORGANIZATION OF A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL FROM A GRADED TO A NONGRADED PHASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPED AROUND STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS, RATHER THAN THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL AGES. CLASSROOM WORK ACCOMPANYING VARIOUS ACHIEVEMENT PHASES IS DESCRIBED. REMEDIAL WORK IS EMPHASIZED IN THE FIRST PHASE, BASIC SKILLS IN THE SECOND, AVERAGE LEVELS…

Explains why block scheduling has become accepted practice at the secondary level and describes potential benefits for middle level schools. Shares common scheduling approaches and discusses their appropriateness for use at the middle level. Presents alternative models that would permit middle school faculties to capitalize on the benefits of…

Schools have a yearly rhythm--changing with the cycle and demands of the school calendar. There is the Season of Hope as the school year starts; then comes homework discontent, conferences of concern, grading and testing crises, newspaper attacks, worries about burnout, and the search for renewal. In keeping with all this, the material compiled…