As new evaluation systems begin to enable school and district leaders to identify their excellent teachers, states and school systems are looking ahead to the next step. Leaders ask: Now that we know who our great teachers are, how can we give them the opportunity to take on new roles and advance in their careers? How can we pay them more--ideally…

Responses to a poll revealed that teachers' most common professional problems were: too little time to accomplish objectives, too many nonprofessional duties, overcrowded classrooms, motivating students, lack of administrative support, lack of parental support, troubled children, and discipline. (JD)

Discusses the self-perceived efficacy of high school teachers. Offers survey results suggesting that teachers tend to feel most efficacious when teaching high track students, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science. Explores the relevance of teacher preparation, grade level, teacher influence upon working conditions, and degree of…

This is the second of 12 research reports on the phenomenon of language instruction within a large class environment. The report is written in five sections. The second section (following the introductory first section) discusses the reasons for studying large classes in language instruction, including the facts that teachers find large classes…

Questions major participants in England's school system about the problem of increasing class size. Assesses several broad areas affected by class size, including children as learners, management of resources, decision making, and teachers' classroom practices. Discovers a general consensus of concern over increasing class size. (MJP)

This report by researchers from the Universities of Minnesota and Toronto examines the available evidence and offers educators, policymakers and all citizens interested in promoting successful schools, some answers to these vitally important questions. It is the first in a series of such publications commissioned by The Wallace Foundation that…