May 082007
U.Va Education Professor Bob Pianta joins Coy Barefoot on WINA’s Charlottesville–Right Now to discuss a Curry School report that could change the way kids are taught in elementary school. The study tracked 1,000 students in 25 states from ages 3 to 17, and found that children don’t get nearly enough one-on-one instruction.
During my 30 years of educational leadership, this is one of the most refreshing pieces of reaearch that I have read. The data bears a striking resemblence to what I convey to my principals periodically. I have done the varied types of planning, staff development along with other measures compelled by legislation and some of it was very helpful in determining instructional strategies. I believe that Goodlad (in the 80′s) and currently Pianta provide us with those sound priciples that improve instructional practice and impact positively upon student learning.