Positive Effects Of Class Size Reduction

Overcrowded schools are one of the many reasons why America is falling backwards. With high birth rates and continuous immigration flow the classroom has become overcrowded. The best way a student can learn is if the attention is not so divided. With large classrooms having over 30 students, it makes it almost impossible for a teacher to attend to each student equally. “Slavin (1989) reviewed those studies that lasted a minimum of 1 year and had 20 students or fewer. He concluded that substantial reductions in class size have a small positive effect on students” (Synopsis of Class Size Literature). Classrooms should be small enough for a teacher to perform well without divided attention. In smaller classrooms, students are recognized for their contribution and participation. Students can respect the work of their peers individually and learn from them and help maintain order. They have more time to be collaborative, work creatively, think critically and draw their own predictions. In “Every Classroom Teacher’s Dream”, Patricia Handley states that “Teachers have more opportunity for personalized assessment with students, such as individual conferencing. With a small class, teacher can maximize best teaching practices, heightening students’ academic achievement” (6). There is ample evidence on how a small classroom can improve so much.

Smaller class sizes are a pivotal reason as to why parents should send their children to private school. Private schools have smaller class sizes, which allow for more individualized instruction on various subject matters, and they improve student-teacher relationships. For instance, “Small classes allow teachers to give students more individual attention and lighten the teacher’s workload, and therefore are generally considered desirable” (Choy 14). Subsequently, by having a smaller class size, a student

According to Malcolm Gladwell chapter two of “David and Goliaths” economist Caroline Hoxby found that there was not any significant data indicating smaller classroom sizes had a greater effect on a child’s academic achievement. However; Diana Whitmore Schanzenbach from National Education Policy Center (NEPC), Northwestern University has contradicted Gladwell’s assertion that smaller classroom sizes were not an academic advantage. Schanzenbach review research done by Tennessee’s Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) and found many flaws that had been considered in Hoxby research that conflicted with much of the research that has already been concluded. There has been a considerable amount of research and much of it has concluded with: the children who were placed in a classroom with less students from kindergarten to third grade, scored higher during academic testing, and were more likely to continue to achieve higher grades throughout their school years. Because education is an important stepping stone for children, it is crucial their educational needs are exceeded while they are young and still able to grasp.

With I-1351 there will be a drastic reduction in classroom sizes. The approved I-1351 would amend the previously mentioned RCW 28A.151.260. The sizes of classrooms would now be as follows: Grades K-3 17.0, Grade 4 25.0, Grades 5-6 25.0, Grades 7-8 25.0, and Grades 9-12 25.0. Perspective teachers in the State of Washington should be thrilled to know that there is such an emphasis on improved student to teacher ratios. The reduction in the ratio of students per teacher gives professional educators the greatest opportunity to successfully do their jobs. With smaller classroom sizes professional educators are able to provide a more individualized learning environment. Professionals in the education fields know that a classroom of 25 students

According to Malcolm Gladwell chapter two, economist Caroline Hoxby did some research and found there wasn’t any significant data indicating smaller classrooms had a greater effect on a child academic learning skills. Gladwell made it a point in his story to notion details contending smaller classroom sizes are not necessarily the best learning environment.

The evidence suggests that increasing class size will not only harm children’s test scores in the short-run, but also in their long-run human capital formation. Money is saved from increasing class size will be more substantial social and educational costs in the future. In addition to high costs, reducing class size have unintended consequences. When California lowered class sizes in 1996, they realized that they did not have enough teachers to meet the challenge. Schools were forced to hire new teachers and add portable classmates to accommodate the state

A small class is consider to be twenty students or less. In smaller schools there are not as many students so the teachers will be able to help the students more one on one. Students can have a better idea of the content that they are learning and even if they don’t understand then the could talk to the teacher to have a better understanding. In a recent study, students and teachers were randomly assigned to a small class, with an average of 15 students, or a regular class, with an average of 22 students. This large reduction in class size (7 students, or 32 percent) was found to increase student achievement by an amount equivalent to about 3 additional months of schooling four years later. Also, increasing the pupil/teacher ratio in the U.S. by one student would save at least $12 billion per year in teacher salary costs alone, which is roughly

Reduced class sizes can show better behavior in students and earlier improvement of grades.In smaller classes, teachers have a better chance to get to know the student more, so there are less chances that the student will feel like need to act and lash out. Since the teacher and pupil will get to know each other better, the teacher can take the time to discover what areas the student needs help in and can make more of an effort to help the student fix those needs in a smaller, less crowded environment. (Rios, Robert J).According to a survey done by Mitchell and Mitchell in 1999, students in grades K-3 that were placed in smaller classes scored better on achievement tests in reading and mathematics than students in large classes did. Having smaller classes in kindergarten through third grade creates the most academic improvement in students. Reading and Mathematics are the subjects that the most information is retained in that sticks with students in older years. Also, students of minority

Have you ever just thought to yourself, or maybe even asked out loud if in the classrooms, does the student size really matter. I’ve always wondered that, and how many students it would take to fill out a normal, American sized classroom. I have technically come to the conclusion that yes, I think that it does matter because the average class size is approximately 23.1 students, and 23.1 students fill the typical American primary school classroom, which is just above the O.E.C.D. average of 21.4 students. In lower secondary schools, the average American class size is 24.3 students, compared with 23.9 across the O.E.C.D. The class size matters because if you are teaching in a big classroom, and a bunch of kids don’t show up, it could mess up

It takes experience and time to truly understand the importance of a small class experiences to truly appreciate the value of classes with no more than fifteen students; to reap the benefits of additional teacher time. Adams claims, about half the states have programs that reduce the sizes of class rooms for public schools. Florida passed a constitutional amendment in 2002 that phased in lower class sizes to eighteen ("Class Size Crunch"). In these states students grades have increased and they are reaching better potential. This is an unpopular idea to some because for smaller classrooms to be applied it would cost more money to hire more teachers. Adams mentioned, that getting lawmakers to support public schools is extremely important. District leaders need to make a division between a push for small class size rather than paying for empty buildings ("Class Size Crunch"). Drop-out rates could be lowered and the kids will stay in school with lower, student to teacher ratio. Smaller classrooms have been proven to be more effective than larger

Proponents of large class sizes hint at the cost and lack of present day research as a reason for not lowering class sizes. Furthermore, proponents for larger class sizes argue that they allow for more independence and an increase of ideas in discussion due to more students in the classroom. Moreover, there isn't enough funding to implement smaller classes in public schools around the country. In the last five years there has been plenty of protests over teachers wages and the cutting of education programs at schools. This has in turn led to more teachers being handed out pink slips because states and schools don't put enough money toward education. For example, this can be seen at The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the university

It is pretty apparent that in America, and elsewhere, most parents and general adults want what is best for their children in terms of education. This mindset can be seen reflected in the legislative aspects of our education system; there are many incentives pushing through the school boards and legislatures of our nation in order to attempt to further refine the education system. This is important as it allows us to refine traditional American education in order to improve upon it, and one of these attempt refinements and improvements has to deal with the subject of class size. For many people, large classroom sizes are a spawning ground for many issues with the education system: high distraction in the classroom, teacher inefficiency, among a plethora of others. Although it may seem regressive to favor small classes over bigger, more potentially diverse classes, small class sizes are more beneficial for education in that it is less distracting for the students and raises the possibility of staying focused, it potentially raises teacher-student relationships, and it allows for better results and better statistics coming from these smaller classes.

Class size reduction is a heavily disputed education reform that is popular all over the United States and a topic that has increased in popularity since the 1970’s and 80’s. Proponents of small class sizes claim that the education system would benefit from decreasing class sizes. Pupils in larger classes might go unnoticed, get away with bad behavior, disrupt the class, or lose interest and drift off in a large classroom. Smaller classrooms allow teachers to provide one on one attention or tutoring to students and classroom management becomes easier. Many educators, parents, and education reformists advocate for class size reduction and there have been several movements on the federal, state, and local levels. As the United States attempts to improve its educational system the debate has grown. Research has proven that class size reduction especially in elementary schools (K-4) has a positive impact on student learning. The US Department of Education (2012), reports that the average class size in 2007–08 was 20.0 pupils for public elementary schools and 23.4 pupils for public secondary schools. By making a small change lowering the number of students in elementary school classes to eighteen could be an effective strategy for the United States public education system. The benefits of reduced class size are numerous students receive more individual attention, teachers spend less time on classroom management and have more

teachers over the next seven years to help reduce class sizes to reach the national

Many parents feel their children are not being challenged enough in public schools. Some of these children are doing well but clearly could do more, could be stretched intellectually. From their parents' point of view, they spend far too much time watching television, wandering around the mall, or playing games on their computers. Many parents are consequently drawn to private schools because of the academic rigor that comes with smaller classes, more personal attention, and teachers who nurture and promote each child's talents. There is no question that private schools offer smaller classes than most public schools in the country. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1998-99 the median student-teacher ratio in NAIS schools was 9 to 1 while that in public schools was 17 to 1. Smaller classes make it difficult for a student to hide or slide. In a room with only 14 other students, it is difficult to remain uninvolved or consistently unprepared. Teachers can get to know 15 students much better and faster than 30. Smaller classes promote more faculty member-student interaction, and most kids