Younger students are increasingly advancing to higher grade levels while maintaining the same teacher and classmates, a practice referred to as looping.  According to advocates, looping allows teachers to be aware of students' strengths and weaknesses and to have established relationships with parents.  While there are few data about the effectiveness of the practice, TC President Arthur Levine believes, "As schools try to improve their standardized test scores, this appears to be catching on."

The article, entitled "Goodbye, Class. See You in the Fall.," appeared in the July 11 edition of the New York Times.

Published Friday, Aug. 5, 2005