Focusing on class organization, this publication reports on ideas that might improve reading skills by providing better opportunities for all children. The various articles deal with the use of reading consultants in classrooms as an alternative to "pull-out" reading programs, flexible grouping for individualized instruction, and reading…

This report presents a synthesis of a day-and-a-half interactive conference on research and development in reading attended by a group of reading specialists from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas representing their state departments of education. It includes the two presentations "A Sampling of Research Within Reach"…

Before they attempt to organize their classrooms to meet varying student needs, secondary teachers should establish a comprehensive framework for their instructional program, based on a diagnostic plan and on an instructional plan. Many different organizational strategies have been found successful by secondary teachers, both for teaching reading…

This report gives an overview of the organization, scope, and content of the physical education and games program provided for children and youth in the primary, intermediate, and secondary schools of 48 countries. The report is a synthesis of information received in response to questionnaires sent to key individuals in each country. Information…

This book, divided into four parts, emphasizes a practical approach to open education. Part 1 is devoted to the historical and philosophical bases of open education and to the teacher's role in the open classroom. Included in this section are discussions on the nature of education, child development, children and learning, characteristics and a…

This book is divided into two parts: a discussion of the role of individualized instruction in today's schools, and a detailed description of objectives and implementation of the Duluth Individualized Mathematics Program. In the first part, the author argues that schools should not be preservers of tradition but agents of change; diversity should…

This paper examines school productivity research--research regarding school effects on students, divided into two broad classes according to whether the dependent variable is (a) later life consequences or (b) immediate student outcomes. The discussion is organized in four sections. First, six major issues in the methodology of school productivity…

The authors place emphasis on the opportunity for active learning on the part of the student in a discussion of the advantages, conditions, and uses of small group instruction in contrast to the lecturing or tutoring methods of teaching mathematics. (MN)

The efforts of three science teachers in individualizing an existing eighth grade physical science program are analyzed. The individualized program utilizes team teaching, student choice in selecting contracts, and extension of the standard eighth grade physical science curriculum. (MN)

Specific suggestions to help teachers structure the classroom to prevent disruptive behaviors are offered in the areas of physical arrangement and "traffic rules" time management, assignments, grouping practices, classroom atmosphere, and professional demeanor. (DB)

Describes the large-class BIJOU teaching support system developed at University of California-Berkeley to facilitate recordkeeping and communication with support staff. Reasons why large classes exist, organizational elements, and teaching support systems requirements are reviewed. Tasks supported by the BIJOU saystem, costs, and possible…

Reports a project that used simulated master schedules as an alternative to grade-level, subject-matter, classroom-group organization of instruction in small schools. Describes a multigrade, multicourse learning center approach that decouples the course = class equation and allows small schools to offer a stronger educational program. (SB)

Presents ethnographic data drawn from observation of three elementary school classes in Kiryah, a development town in Israel. Determines that pupils' classroom seating expresses teachers' behavior patterns, which are said to derive from external social and professional frames of reference. (KH)

Using empirical evidence from 48 classrooms, argues that structural and organizational factors affect the stability and the formation of ability groups in an elementary classroom, which in turn affect growth in academic achievement. Holds that teachers are often impeded from forming the types of groups most conducive to student learning. (CMG)

Secondary school administrators must carefully consider the ramifications of a proposed alternative scheduling plan before proceeding with implementation. The first article in this newsletter presents findings from a study that compared data from two groups of schools (one group with a 4 X 4 block plan and the other with a trimester plan) to data…