The Social and Academic Learning Study

  • Research Project

What We Do

The Social and Academic Learning Study is a three year, quasi-experimental, longitudinal study examining the contribution of the Responsive Classroom Approach on teachers’ beliefs and attitudes as well as children’s social and academic outcomes.

Project Info

Project Status: 2001-2004

Funding Source: DuBarry Foundation

Principal Investigator: Sara Rimm-Kaufman

Data was gathered between the years of 2001-2004. The data collection is complete and the final publications are available in journals.

SALS Key Findings

This three-year longitudinal, quasi-experimental study compared three schools implementing the Responsive Classroom approach at a school-wide level with three non-implementing schools and found that the Responsive Classroom approach is associated with better academic and social outcomes for elementary school children.

Explore Key Findings

Publications

Brock, L. L., Nishida, T. K., Chiong, C. & Grimm, K. J., & Rimm-Kaufman, S. E. (2008).  Children’s perceptions of the classroom environment and social and academic performance: A longitudinal analysis of the contribution of the Responsive Classroom approach.  Journal of School Psychology, 46, 129-149.

Rimm-Kaufman, S. E. & Chiu, Y. I. (2007).  Promoting social and academic competence in the classroom: An intervention study examining the contribution of the Responsive Classroom approach.  Psychology in the Schools, 44(4), 397-413.

Rimm-Kaufman, S. E., Fan, X., Chiu, Y. I., & You, W. (2007).  The contribution of the Responsive Classroom approach on children’s academic achievement: Results from a three year longitudinal study.  Journal of School Psychology, 45, 401-421.

Sawyer, B. E. & Rimm-Kaufman, S. E. (2007).  Teacher collaboration in the context of the Responsive Classroom approach.  Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 13(3), 211-245.

Rimm-Kaufman, S. E., Storm, M. D., Sawyer, B. E., Pianta, R. C., & La Paro, K. M. (2006).  The Teacher Belief Q-Sort: A measure of teachers’ priorities and beliefs in relation to disciplinary practices, teaching practices, and beliefs about children.  Journal of School Psychology, 44, 141-165.

Rimm-Kaufman, S. E., & Sawyer, B. E. (2004).  Primary-grade teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, attitudes toward teaching, and discipline and teaching practice priorities in relation to the Responsive Classroom approach.  Elementary School Journal, 104(4), 321-341.

Study Reports

Visit the Responsive Classroom website to learn about the study's six key findings and to download reports.

Contact Us

Office Location

  • 405 Emmet Street South - Ruffner Hall - Charlottesville, VA 22904