[NRA1995]

the increased disruptiveness very likely contributes to the load on teachers who must manage large classrooms

What exactly is a "large classroom" these days? When I was in school, there were at least 60 pupils in any given classroom and there was actually law and order, for the most part. Those feisty old nuns took no "stuff" during my grade school years nor did my high school teachers.

[maryz]

What exactly is a "large classroom" these days?

I'm apparently of your generation -- 60 to a class was normal in the Catholic schools, but 40-45 was not unusual in public schools. Nowadays, I think they consider any number over 20-25 cruel and unusual!

Of course, in those days, parents weren't inclined to sue if their children were disciplined! ;-)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The education "self esteem" crowd should look to their experimentation with education theory. With less discipline and poor instruction, they too have created problems in the classroom.