American schools have become extremely diverse in terms of their student populations. Often diversity is measured merely in terms of racial, ethnic, and socio-economic terms. But in our classrooms, we must also consider diversity in learning styles and learning differences. Once this more practical form of diversity is monitored and measured through research, school districts then have the responsibility not only to make the teachers in their district aware of those widely varied learning styles, but also to help them master appropriately diverse teaching methods in order to maximize learning in the district.
Classroom management is a constant topic both in faculty lounges and in PTA board rooms. What discipline styles and behavior management techniques are most effective grade level to grade level? What do the most successful kindergarten teachers do to manage their classrooms? What about the best high school instructors? Are all the teachers in your district appropriately trained in the best practices where discipline is concerned? Or is each individual teacher left to fend for himself where classroom management and discipline are concerned?
Track the average class size in a particular academic department in your school. Compare the average student-teacher ratio in that department over the last five years. Consider projected lay offs in the coming years, forecasting how that will affect student-teacher ratios. Create or locate an appropriate assessment tool for students in that department and track student achievement as class size increases.
Many school districts have never stopped to consider the ways that the architecture of their buildings and classrooms affect student learning. While researching this can lead to some very expensive changes in a district's educational environments, studying these architectural realities and possibilities can lead to some exciting advancements in student achievement. And such architecturally based classroom research may elicit some minor and inexpensive changes that once made can boost student achievement significantly.