The CLASS-PreK instrument is widely used to evaluate early childhood classrooms, but how classrooms using Montessori, the world's most common alternative education system, fare on CLASS is understudied. Because CLASS focuses largely on teacher-child interactions as the situs of learning, but in Montessori theory, child-environment interactions are…

Multilevel modeling techniques were used with a sample of 643 students enrolled in 37 secondary school classrooms to predict future student achievement (controlling for baseline achievement) from observed teacher interactions with students in the classroom, coded using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System--Secondary. After accounting for prior…

Multilevel modeling techniques were used with a sample of 643 students enrolled in 37 secondary school classrooms to predict future student achievement (controlling for baseline achievement) from observed teacher interactions with students in the classroom, coded using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System--Secondary. After accounting for prior…

The quality of classroom interactions has typically been studied using aggregates of ratings over time. However, within-day ratings may contain important variability. This study investigated within-day variability using the NICHD Study of Early Childcare and Youth Development's observational data during grades 3 and 5. The first question examined…

The present study examines the following hypotheses: (1) James' Classroom Inventory to Describe the Use of Physical Space is suitable for use in a Caribbean school setting; and (2) the size of the Jamaican primary classroom bears no relationship to the number of children to be accommodated. (Author/AM)

Describes an Illinois school district's successful effort to boost its early education program by reopening an older school and putting all three-to-six year olds into smaller classes under one roof. Success came from careful planning, a close working relationship with community members, smart public relations, and a good product showing strong…

The relationship between class size and scholastic outcomes is addressed in this paper. A literature review focuses on the research of Glass and Smith (1978) and Larkin and Keeves (1984). Contradictory and inconclusive research findings about teacher effectiveness in relation to class size indicate that emphasis should be placed on training…

Attitudes towards "setting," a form of student grouping by ability, were studied in four Scottish primary schools. A slight majority of students and a slight minority of teachers preferred set classes. Positive aspects of sets included smaller classes and independent learning in lower-ability sets, and positive class atmospheres.…

Students who actively participate in the learning process learn more than those who do not. "Involvement matters," as Tinto (1997) points out, and this involvement can occur both inside and outside the classroom. The importance of students' active involvement in learning is by now well documented and known. Active involvement in class facilitates…

This manual draws together evolving information about how group size influences what the group does and how learning tasks may be designed and employed to accomplish desired outcomes. The manual includes ideas from research on class size and its outcomes; theories of learning and development; and validated experiences of expert educators. It…

This report describes a study designed to discover the nature of teacher-student interactions in regular-size classes with 25 or more students and small-size classes with fewer than 18 students. Eleven public-school primary classrooms were observed, and the interactions between the teachers and students were studied. Verbal and nonverbal…

Observed 223 public school kindergarten classrooms to describe classroom activities and child-teacher interactions. Also observed global classroom quality. Found, among other observations, that the most frequently observed forms of activity were structured, teacher-directed activities and whole-group instruction. Findings pose implications for…

A research study was conducted by two teams of researchers who investigated how class size influences teaching and learning. Four second grade teachers participated, two from a rural school in Virginia and two from an urban, inner-city school in California. To understand how the same teachers and students responded to different class size…

Discusses problems of maintaining higher education geography fieldwork in an era of increasing class size. Presents and describes 13 strategies for coping with these problems. Recommends that individual teachers and geography departments redesign their fieldwork programs in accordance with their priorities. (CFR)

Examines the nature, consequences, frequency of occurrence, and victims of classroom communication apprehension, and what kind of classes, classrooms, and teachers affect the probability of its occurrence. McCrosky's critical summary of research in this area serves as a basis for comparison. Supplementary tables included. (JD)