Policing classroom behaviors -- particularly in a class of thirty or more kids in a school where behavior is a large concern -- can take a significant toll on the energy level of a teacher, not to mention on his or her emotional well-being. Time spent keeping students on task also takes away from time meant for learning. In some classrooms, such as one profiled on the Web site of the National Education Association , students manage themselves by participating in a classroom court that consists of functional roles such as bailiff and probation officer. Is this kind of classroom strategy helpful for educators, or are there more fundamental changes, such as reduction in class size, that would have a greater impact? We're interested in your opinion.
