Are multiple births increasing?
The incidence of multiple births has increased dramatically in the past two decades. The birthrate for twins, who constitute the most common kind of multiple births, increased 62% between 1980 and 1998 (Ventura et al., 2000). Given this trend, it seems reasonable to assume that many teachers will have twins and other multiple siblings in their classes at some point in their teaching careers (Katz, 1998). What does the research say about classroom placement of twins? Research on the effects of twin separation in school and other practical questions is still very limited (Katz, 1998). Much of what has been published is anecdotal or is published in newsletters and other non-peer reviewed publications. Thus, there is no research-based rationale for either separating twins into different classrooms or keeping them together. Dreyer (1991) attempted to synthesize the existing research literature. The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc. (NOMOTC) published Dreyer’s work, and t