The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the personality traits, learning environment and academic achievement of children in mixed-grade versus traditional classrooms. The conflicting existing research on the efficacy of mixed-grade classrooms suggests there may be characteristic differences between children that impact…

The study examines the influence of teacher feedback in the relationship between peer rejection and student level predictors of rejection. Feedback on academic performance and social behaviour recorded during a standardised lesson was analysed for each of 36 Grade 1-3 classes (N = 709). Student social behaviour, academic achievement, and language…

Composite classes (also known as multigrades) are beneficial in several ways but have challenges for teaching and learning. This study aimed to explore participants' views concerning their experiences in teaching and learning within a composite classroom setting in Samoa. Specifically, the study sought to determine composite classes' impacts on…

Using data from the Family and Child Experiences Survey 2009 Cohort (n = 1,073), this study considered the implications of mixed-age education for young children's academic achievement when they experienced continuity and/or changes in classroom age composition across two years in Head Start (at age 3 and age 4). Results from these analyses…

The research aimed to provide a complete understanding of characteristics, facilitators, and challenges in implementing professional learning communities in multi-age schools. This study utilized a mixed-methods multiple case study design. Participants in this study were teachers from two private K-8 multi-age schools. The characteristics of…

Recent research has shown that the age composition of preschool classrooms influences children's early learning. Building on prior research, this study examines whether the association between classroom age composition and children's learning and development vary based on classroom quality and teacher characteristics using a subset of the Family…

Recent research has shown that the age composition of preschool classrooms influences children's early learning. Building on prior research, this study examines whether the association between classroom age composition and children's learning and development vary based on classroom quality and teacher characteristics using a subset of the Family…

Current empirical research about the effects of acceleration on high-ability learners' academic achievement and social-emotional development were synthesized using meta-analytic techniques. A total of 38 primary studies conducted between 1984 and 2008 were included. The results were broken down by developmental level (P-12 and postsecondary) and…

Mixed-aged (MA) classes are a common phenomenon around the world. In Sweden, these types of classes increased rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s, despite the fact that existing empirical support for MA classes is weak. In this paper, the effect of attending an MA class during grades 4-6 on students' cognitive skills is estimated. Using a unique…

The research looks at the phenomenon of composite classes as experienced by the Murezi community. To gather the required data and to have an in-depth understanding of the Murezi school experience, the case study was employed and the questionnaire, interview and on-site observations were employed as data gathering instruments. The three were used…

Teachers and administrators are faced with a basic question when planning for a school year: how should the students be grouped when coming to school? Should students of similar age be together or should students be assigned to multi-age classrooms at the elementary school level? If the multi-age method is chosen, how will academic progress be…

The hypothesis that the greater the proportion of adults in class the higher the aggregate average class performance was tested with 619 community college students and 2,175 university students. The hypothesis was supported by the community college sample as well as the university sample with the exception of university math classes. (SK)

One of the most absurd vestiges of yesteryear in the public schools is the widely accepted practice of moving students to different teachers and grade levels every year, leading to an annual mix of new classmates and instructional methodologies. No respectable body of research or scholarly reflection today gives any credibility to the academic and…

A study of a multiage intermediate program (combined grades 3 through 5) revealed that, despite teachers' strong beliefs about developmentally appropriate practices and student-centered methods, they had difficulty putting them into practice. Decision making and classroom planning were teacher centered and often based on national and state…

This document consists of the two 2001 issues of the newsletter of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE). Each issue contains a feature article and one or more short articles on topics related to early childhood education, calls for papers, announcements about Internet resources, news items about and list…