After noting classroom techniques that made a difference in student learning, the authors focus on reducing the distractions of a school environment and providing principals a classroom observation instrument. They suggest a student observation form to be used by principals, analyzing six student behavior categories. (JW)

Classroom observation of 98 fourth-grade boys was coded to examine the relationships among student behaviors exhibited during class instruction, teacher reinforcement of those behaviors, student ability, and achievement. The strongest causal effects were from student ability measures. Accurate responding by students and teacher reinforcement of…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that explored the feasibility of using vision therapy (VT) as part of an interdisciplinary approach to the education of children with autism. Traditional research on VT has explored its usefulness in helping patients to use both eyes together, improve depth perception, and enhance visual acuity.…

The differences in off-task behavior rates exhibited by kindergarten students during narrative and non-narrative-based social studies instruction was investigated. Off-task behavior was operationally defined and students were observed during eight different lessons. Four lessons employed story narrative picture books and four lessons used…

In 2001, a decision by the New York State Supreme Court in a landmark school funding case, Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), Inc. v. State of New York, declared the current New York state funding system unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to replace it with a new cost-based system that ensures that every school district has sufficient…

Describes a research study in which students were observed in eight secondary school mathematics classes and time lost from instructional activities was assessed using a time-filter. A typical child was assessed as spending slightly more than half the allocated time to time on task. Stability of results is discussed. (EAO)

The relationship between teachers' use of class time and student achievement, behavior, and attitudes was examined in a study of 102 English and mathematics classes in 11 junior high schools. Time use had a measurable effect on student achievement and attitudes in mathematics classes, but not in English classes. (Authors/PP)

An interview with David Berliner explores his claims that research on teacher effectiveness will only be applied practically when "connoisseurs of teaching" act as teacher coaches, helping teachers to analyze the effects of their behaviors, specify new behaviors, and assess the results. (PGD)

This review focuses on the relationship between instructional processes and student behavior as presented in "Time to Learn," a description of processes, findings, and implications from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study. Attention is given to chapters concerning data collection, relational and descriptive processes, and limitations…

Disruptive pupil behavior increased during teacher-initiated transition time as opposed to nontransitional time. Procedures for structuring transitions to increase time-on-task and maintain smoothness and momentum are described, and teachers' conceptions of time and classroom time flow are discussed. (Author/RD)

This article reviews the literature on self-monitoring interventions with students having learning disabilities. It discusses results of self-monitoring studies in terms of major dependent measures, such as on-task behavior and academic productivity and accuracy. It then analyzes studies comparing effects of self-monitoring of attention and…

In machine-mediated learning environments, there is a need for more reliable methods of calculating the probability that a learner's response will be correct in future trials. A combination of domain-independent response-state measures of cognition along with two instructional variables for maximum predictive ability are demonstrated. (Author/LRW)

A study examined effects of class-wide curricular modification on the engagement and behaviors of six students (ages 13-14) with emotional disturbances, in a self-contained science class. Modifications included providing opportunities for choice making and ensuring activities were of high interest, which resulted in increased engagement and…

This study explored relative contributions of variables underlying 30 elementary teachers' referral judgments. Best predictors of referral were teachers' judgments about presence of behavioral problems and students' academic competence, while demography, off-task behavior, and teachers' stress failed to contribute significantly. (Contains…

This paper describes implementation of a combined active training and consultation project with 64 school staff members in a large urban district. Participation was broadly associated with increased staff knowledge of effective behavior management and instructional strategies, successful implementation of skills at the classroom level with…