Problems Faced By The American System

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

Although there are advantages and disadvantages in class size reduction to student achievement, there can be a compromise. Smaller class sizes do not have to be for everyone. It can be left to lower achieving schools. Beginning teachers can start in smaller classes, and leave the larger classes for the more experienced. Larger class schools can provide one on one or small group tutoring for those who need extra help. In kindergarten and first grade establish smaller classes but gradually grow. There is a solution to every problem, but it takes effort to find the most effective

PROBLEM: According to Catherine Rampell’s article found in the New York Times in 2009, the average classroom size of American primary schools is 23.1 students while the average classroom size of American secondary schools is 24.3 students. However, there has been an upward trend in the average class size of American schools as seen in the National Center for Education Statistics’ School and Staff Survey from the 2011 to 2012 school year. This statistic shows that the average classroom size of an American school is nearing thirty students. This statistic is and will continue to increase if a law is not enacted soon.

p.1). Getting the early interaction between teacher and student can provide the kids with skills they will need in the future. GreatSchools Staff also said, “In the early grades, students are just beginning to learn about the rules of the classroom, and they are figuring out if they can cope with the expectations of education. If they have more opportunity to interact with their teacher, they are more apt to feel like they can cope.”Why does reducing class size in the early grades have a positive effect? p.2). Learning the classroom and dealing with the new atmosphere is very hard especially at a young age; therefore, getting the one-on-one interaction can help them get through that drastic change. As Grace Chen, an avid education researcher, writer,

Generally, reducing class size is attractive to both parents, students and teachers. According to Eugene M. Lewit and Linda Schuurmann Baker, one recent national poll found that 70% of adults believe that reducing class size would result in substantial improvements in public schools and less than 10% believed it would have no impact. Here we will discuss many of the potential costs and benefits that reducing class size may bring to students, schools and the society. (Lewit and Baker, pg 1)

This research brief reviews the details and findings of research done on the California class-size reduction law in 1996. It reviews the effects of the reduction in class-size on teacher quality and student Achievement. The brief was written and published by the Public Policy Institute of California, which is a nonprofit organization who is dedicated to independent, objective and nonpartisan research. This paper will be used to show that even with adverse circumstances class-size reduction is successful in raising student achievement. It will also help support the idea that class-size reduction is the first step in improving overall student achievement not the end all solution.

Abstract: Any small class size that provides additional one-on-one time with teachers, increased enjoyment when learning, and facilitate students’ experiences is the best classroom dimensions to improve the students learning experiences regardless of expense. However, Grubb would say that because of cutbacks, class size reductions have been recommended as a way to boost student accomplishment and close achievement gaps. Does the benefit of smaller class sizes for students’ learning experiences outweigh the potential costs?

The state randomly assigned students to smaller classes with 13-17 students, regular classes with 22-26 students and regular classes with an aide. The research not only showed that all smaller classroom size improved student’s academic achievement but in particular minority students improved at a higher rate than non-minority students. The Center for Public Education (n.d.) agrees by recommending that class size of no more than 18 students be implemented in kindergarten through third grade to increase student achievement.

There has been a lot of controversy lately about how a decrease in the number of kids in the classrooms and could change how well a child performs in his/her schoolwork. Many researchers believe that a small class size will have a positive effect on class achievement, but other researchers have found that reducing class size has no advantage at all. For example, Ivor Pritchard from the National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum and Assessment says “reducing class size will increase costs without producing substantial benefits”(1999). From this example, it can be seen that there have been many sources

Do you have children? If so, are you aware of how many students are in your child’s class? Class sizes is an important topic in today’s society, its one that is highly debated issues because of the effects it has on so many children. It has been studied for years throughout the education system. One study showed that in the US, children in smaller classes of less than 20 do better academically, that those in a large class size. (Blatchford, P., Bassett, P., Goldstein, H., & Martin, C. 2003) When discussing the term “Class Size”, it is important to understand exactly what it defines. Class size refers to the number of students in a classroom or course, in ratio to the teacher or educator. (Rentzou & Sakellariou, 2010) Imagine the chaotic environment your child is attempting to learn in when their classroom is filled with 20 students or more. With so many distractions in class, it is harder for your child to absorb essential information that is being taught to them.

There are students who prefer larger class sizes as a way to avoid some of the difficult learning aspects that would be provided in a one-on-one learning enviroment.

Parents and politicians alike have fixated on class size ever since the beginnings of modern education. Conventional wisdom holds that smaller classes lead to better educational outcomes – after all, fewer students imply greater one-on-one instructional time, and disciplining overcrowded classrooms is arguably more difficult. Still, hiring more teachers is far from cheap, so policymakers have a vested interest in determining the effectiveness of smaller classes.

This introduces a loophole in the education system that allows for wastage of special abilities that remain untapped and underdeveloped. This in turn results in low productivity in students, who don’t feel challenged to put more effort, resulting in poor output by the class in general. This lack of motivation to do better by the exceptional students can also be explained by the fact that even without putting much effort, they still lead the class, giving them a sense of contentment and they therefore do not feel the need to work harder. The weak students are not motivated either since the average performance of the class is dismal, and their weakness is not exposed enough for them to notice they need extra assistance from their tutors. This makes for a class that generally has poor outcomes in their academic performance. Big classes are also associated with lower quality instruction. As much as interactive activities are not easy to plan for and carry out in a class, it is worse for bigger classrooms, which prohibit movement from their overcrowding aspect. Classroom management in big-sized classes is usually a problem for the teacher as it is difficult to ascertain the consistency desirable to promote proper classroom management.

Class sizes are strongly assumed to influence student learning at institutions of learning. Big classes are associated with less individualized attention to students from the teacher. This is because it becomes difficult for the teacher to get to know each pupil individually, making it hard to identify learning disabilities or even to notice that some students have special needs. Students who struggle with reading and learning do not receive the one-on-one help they require to catch up. The other extreme is also true since those who would surely benefit more with additional

In order to have a positive and meaningful impact on student learning, the learning has to inspire hope, ignite their imagination, and growth for future learning. The amount of students in a classroom and how they influence the quality of learning is highly discussed worldwide. The effects of class size are highly studied, investigated and examined by many. One favored approach through researching the effects of class size and student learning is reducing the class size. Reducing class size to increase student achievement is an method that has been studied and analyzed for several decades. Each and every student in school learns differently, at different paces. The research and studies has concluded that class size does indeed, effect how a child learns and the merit of their education. The quality of the teachers and student-teacher engagement is recognized as an important variable in the academic success of students. Teachers are responsible for the students, that responsibility and size effects the learning as well. Class size shapes the learning curb at all levels. Experts have generally proved positive results when lowering class sizes, at least in the earliest grades. Those results are linked to positive educational benefits, such as better test scores, fewer dropouts and higher graduation rates and long-term student success. When it comes to private and public schools, each have separate strengths, class size and student learning are among those strengths parents