Lower Student Load = Higher Achievement

Here is a topic near and dear to our hearts--although it is not foreign language specific. The current issue of Education Week features interesting new research that shows a lower "total student load" is linked statistically to better student achievement. To which which many of us would probably say, "DUH!" -- but it is good to have this research at hand the next time the subject comes up in your school.

Management Guru Says 'Student Load' Key to Achievement

Study of Eight Districts Looks at School Autonomy
By Debra Viadero
Management expert William G. Ouchi wants to let educators in on a secret: The key to improving student achievement is lightening teaching loads.Mr. Ouchi lays out that message in a new book, The Secret of TSL, published this month by Simon & Schuster of New York City. The letters stand for “total student load,” which Mr. Ouchi defines as the number of students that teachers come in contact with each academic term and the number of papers they grade.

For the complete article see:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/09/30/05management_ep.h29.html?tkn=QSOFnxH3di6H2mtviWP18Yx%2BGbZj3o4HDnN6