Changes over time in process measures of classroom behavior

Observed classroom behavior over a 6-mo period in 68 junior high school classes. Analyses of 30 variables were carried out to determine (a) the stability of the behavioral indexes over time and (b) the presence of reliable trends over the school year. Changes found were not dramatic, but the trends were clearly interpretable, suggesting in particular that a certain deterioration occurs in late spring and that observations obtained in midyear are less likely to be distorted than those conducted early or late in the school year. (5 ref)