This paper discusses the primary education system in England as a whole and the operation of primary schools in Leicestershire in particular. It also contains questions and answers concerning English primary education. The paper describes the organization, funding, and administration of English primary schools, which provide the first 6 years of…

Looping is the practice of a teacher staying with the same group of students for two or more years. It may also be referred to as multiyear teaching, teacher rotation, multiyear placement, and a variety of other names. This thesis examines the experience and effects of looping in the elementary classroom. An overview is provided of historical and…

This book draws on interviews with 47 former participants in one- and two-room schools, primarily in the northern part of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Chapter 1 presents a history of the one-room, one-teacher rural school, discussing the school consolidation trend, pupil transportation, and the three factors most instrumental in the one-room…

This "Research" section contains three articles. "Pedagogy" discusses the need for explicit phonics instruction combined with whole language as the most effective way to teach beginning readers. "Practice" describes a first-grade whole language reading class which incorporates phonics. "Findings" reviews briefly three studies on mixed-age…

Identifies the main topics addressed in the professional education literature of 1993 including school reform, outcomes-based education, alternative assessment, the learner-centered school, the school as family, educational management, curriculum, technology, disabled students, teacher evaluation, mixed-age grouping, urban education, and multiple…

Studied the longitudinal stability of measures of peer acceptance, social status, and social reputation and the role of children's ages relative to classmates during the transition from same-age kindergarten to mixed-age ungraded primary classes. Found that overall peer acceptance and aggressive social reputation were moderately stable. Half of…

This research is a case study examining numeracy teaching and learning practices in an early childhood multiage setting with Pre-Primary to Year 2 children. Data were collected via running records, researcher reflection notes, and video and audio recordings. Video and audio transcripts were analysed using a mathematical discourse and social…

This resource book, compiled by the Society for Developmental Education (SDE), focuses on the child-centered classroom, providing articles and suggestions for strengthening child-centered education. The seven sections of the book are as follows: (1) "For Discussion," including debates on class size and inclusion; (2) "Readiness/Kindergarten,"…

A central theme in the history of American education in the 20th century is the expansion of formal schooling for more children. This literature review surveys the research on the educational uses of time, with a focus on the quantity and quality of time that teachers and students spent in school and, to a lesser extent, students' out-of-school…

A project was developed in the Columbia, Missouri, public schools to use computer technology as a catalyst and support for systemic school reform to implement multiage grouping of students. Classrooms were grouped as grades K-1 and 2-3. This report includes all the formative evaluation data collected throughout the implementation of this project,…

Multiage settings are alternative educational groupings that promote complexity in young children's thinking. Grouping children across ages and grades encourages interconnectedness in social and intellectual development. This study compared the academic achievement of one group of multiage students to national norms on standardized achievement…

This paper examines the definition and practice of intergenerational learning programs, and attempts to determine the characteristics of successful and meaningful programs of this type. The first section defines intergenerational learning and states its purpose: to bring young and old together for the purpose of learning from one another, under…

Describes a summer program project designed and conducted by a mixed-age group of elementary children. Students collected data to determine whether a local stream was polluted, and interpretations of the data varied. An informational video about the project and the creek was produced. (PVD)

Describes the use of cooperative learning centers (CLCs) in an inner-city fourth-grade classroom. These seven CLCs focused on mathematics, language, writing, learning with kindergartners, computers, interest group, and free reading, with students taking weekly turns at being the center "specialist" or group leader. The effectiveness of…

Traces the theoretical basis for vertical integration in early school years. Contrasts transmission-based pedagogy with a higher level of teacher control, and acquirer-based pedagogy with a higher level of student control. Suggests that early childhood pedagogy will be maintained when teachers are able to articulate their pedagogical knowledge and…