One civil rights-era law has reshaped American society—and contributed to the country's ongoing culture wars Few laws have had such far-reaching impact as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Intended to give girls and women greater access to sports programs and other courses of study in schools and colleges, the law has since been used by judges and agencies to expand a wide range of antidiscrimination policies—most recently the Obama administration’s 2016 mandates on sexual harassment and transgender rights. In this comprehensive review of how Title IX has been implemented, Boston College political science professor R. Shep Melnick analyzes how interpretations of "equal educational opportunity" have changed over the years. In terms accessible to non-lawyers, Melnick examines how Title IX has become a central part of legal and political campaigns to correct gender stereotypes, not only in academic settings but in society at large. Title IX thus has become a major factor in America's culture wars—and almost certainly will remain so for years to come.

The essays in this book report estimates of the effects of learning on earnings and other life outcomes. They also examine whether particular aspects of schooling--such as the age at which children begin school, classroom size, and curriculum--or structural reform--such as national or statewide examinations or school choice--affect learning.

The debate over whether class size matters for teaching and learning is one of the most enduring, and aggressive, in education research. Teachers often insist that small classes benefit their work. But many experts argue that evidence from research shows class size has little impact on pupil outcomes, so does not matter, and this dominant view has informed policymaking internationally. Here, the lead researchers on the world’s biggest study into class size effects present a counter-argument. Through detailed analysis of the complex relations involved in the classroom they reveal the mechanisms that support teachers’ experience, and conclude that class size matters very much indeed. Drawing on 20 years of systematic classroom observations, surveys of practitioners, detailed case studies and extensive reviews of research, Peter Blatchford and Anthony Russell contend that common ways of researching the impact of class size are limited and sometimes misguided. While class size may have no direct effect on pupil outcomes, it has, they say, significant force through interconnections with classroom processes. In describing these connections, the book opens up the everyday world of the classroom and shows that the influence of class size is everywhere. It impacts on teaching, grouping practices and classroom management, the quality of peer relations, tasks given to pupils, and on the time teachers have for marking, assessments and understanding the strengths and challenges for individual pupils. From their analysis, the authors develop a new social pedagogical model of how class size influences work, and identify policy conclusions and implications for teachers and schools.

This book provides a “primer” with respect to the debate about class size between economists and educators. In particular it offers an overview of how economists look at school funding problems, and makes a comparison between the work of the Chicago School and others like Eric Hanushek, which has focused intensely on the economic relationship between public spending on educational resources and the cost of equipping and expanding school infrastructure, and student outcomes. The book therefore focuses on class size as a primary example of the way in which economists have come to treat teaching and learning as a site for the development of human capital. The book also takes a historical look at the debate about class size from the perspective of theories about public choice, which have emerged from the Chicago School through the writings of Milton Friedman. This raises the issue of how the notion of the “public” is understood, and whether educators and economists are coming from different perspectives about what schools should do for the community. Many educationists think about the problem of class size from the perspective of a classroom teacher, who must “eyeball” her students and regard them as flesh?and?blood individuals, whereas economists deal in statistical numbers and should therefore be understood as regarding class size as symptomatic of population issues. The book surveys the two sides of the long?standing debate about class size and its supposed relationship to student achievement. The aim is to disclose a theoretical principle that is adopted by both sides in the debate, even if neither side is conscious of it. This principle relates to the issue of individuals and populations as a binary opposition that supplies either side with a valid viewpoint. The book explores this principle, arguing that each of these opposing perspectives depends on the other for its own logical outcome. The book analyses the procedure of opposing individuals to populations and demonstrates that the question of class size could be more effectively approached by dealing with the principle that is at its core.

"This is a very important book which may become a classic. The research study is remarkable in its magnitude, breadth and duration.... it is described in a form accessible to practitioners and policy makers." - Professor Jeremy D. Finn, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA "This fascinating book is one that should be compulsory reading for student teachers... It also provides challenge and insight for experienced teachers. ...a stimulating source of evidence which will challenge people to consider their own approaches and what might constitute good practice. ...an important contribution to the class size debate." - Inservice Journal One of the most important debates in education in recent years has been about the effects of class size differences in schools. This book provides the most complete analysis to date of the educational consequences of class size differences, and sets out to solve the puzzling gap between professional experience and research findings. This book: Examines results from a pioneering research project of international significance, unique in its scale and methodology Investigates the relationships between class size and pupil achievements by detailed examination of classroom processes Considers the view that small classes provide better teaching and learning, and why this is not supported by past research findings Identifies implications for policy at government, LEA and school level, teacher education and professional development Indicates implications for practice - maximising opportunities of small classes and minimising problems in large classes. Written in an accessible style and drawing upon examples from classroom life, this book is important reading for student and practising primary school teachers, M.Ed and doctoral students, teacher educators, researchers and policymakers.

Retaining Valued Employees briefly summarizes the current research in the area of employee turnover, and provides practical guidelines to implement proven strategies for reducing unwanted turnover.

This book provides a research-based framework for making differentiated instruction work in the primary grades. It includes scientifically validated techniques for teaching each component of the beginning reading program. The authors describe how to use assessment to form differentiated small groups and monitor student progress; plan which skills to target and when; and implement carefully selected instructional strategies. Vivid classroom examples illustrate what differentiated instruction looks like in action in each of the primary grades. For additional helpful resources, including classroom-ready lesson plans, teachers can purchase the complementary volume, How to Plan Differentiated Reading Instruction: Resources for Grades K-3.