Does size really matter? According to research, you bet it does. And according to my personal opinion, it should be one of the biggest issues in education.
Research has been conducted on the academic effects of small class sizes. It has been proven small class sizes are effective in helping struggling students. The problem the education system is running into is the research does not justify the extra cost of additional teachers and classrooms. Two main points are highlighted about class sizes: reduced class sizes can expect to increase student scores and benefits of a reduced class size occur when there are 20 or fewer students.
The Center for Education Reform provides information on two studies conducted to promote small schools not necessarily small classes. Although flaws from the studies are outlined, the benefits are also noted. Specifically in California, small schools have been a mission of theirs. But the research has shown it isn’t the small school that makes a difference. It is the small class sizes that make the difference in a child’s education and their success.
But are there any long-term effects from small class sizes? According to an article on Disney Family Parenting, it has been researched how small class sizes lead to an increase in graduation rates. The study highlighted how not just one year of small class sizes makes the difference. It states 3-4 years of small class sizes leads to higher graduation rates, an increase of almost 12%. The study also shows how the importance of small class sizes occurs early on. The most benefits happen when students are in small class sizes in grades K-3.
Finally, the National Teachers Council of English provides guidelines for class sizes and teacher workloads. Some guidelines I found were similar to those I currently follow. Such as keeping class sizes fewer than 25 students, 30 minutes of planning time each day, the availability of clerical assistance and access to a computer. One guideline I found very interesting stated a half-day each month should be devoted to long term planning. I think this would benefit all teachers if they had a half-day off each month just to plan long term.
So what needs to happen to get smaller class sizes? Does more research need to be conducted? Does there need to be more funds devoted to promoting smaller class sizes?
What would you do with fewer students? Would it make a difference in your teaching if you didn’t have as many students in your classroom as you do now? What could you accomplish if you cut your class in half or maybe by thirds?
I will wait for the day when I start the year with fewer than 20 students, until then I can only dream what it would be like…
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Smaller class sizes, aren't those three magic words for a teacher! I feel very lucky because I do have a smaller class so let me share what your dream might look like Jenna! I teach in Kindred, ND (small suburb of Fargo) and we have an average of three classes for each grade level and the average class size is 15-20 students. It is very rare that we have more than 20 students esepcially in grades K-3. I have had class sizes of 13, 18 and currently 16. I am able to work way more one on one with students and do many small groups activities. My centers work great because I can have students in groups of two rather than three or four. My struggling students also get more attention and help from myself and a classroom aid. I think small class sizes are so important especially in younger grades because early intervention is so imporatant and for this to happen a school district just has to dedicate funds to this cause. Kindred school works very hard to keep class sizes small and I'm very grateful for this!
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Many of our classrooms currently have 31 students because that is our state maximum. I am trult lucky because my classroom only holds 24 students. Size does matter because there is no way possible to give each student individual time in a 45 minute class period. With all the restricitions placed on top of me in those 45 minutes I may get to have individual time with three students. Size matters in a big way I just wish some of the hire ups would wake up and smell the coffee.
I hate large class sizes. I can never get anything done! If I have 30 students in a room, I am battling discipline issues for an entire 90 minutes. When I have 20 or so, I am able to get amazing things done and the students learn more. They want to save money by packing more students in to classrooms and create more work for an already overburdened and underpaid teacher. I hated large classes in high school and college. There was no personalization and I tended to zone out and earn lower grades because I didn't care what was going on in there.
ReplyDeleteJust think of the individual attention each student could recieve with smaller classes. With all the research out there on the benefits of smaller classes is it the trend to shove as many students as possible into the classes. People should look at what is best for the students and what kind of citizans we want to come out of our schools system. If they look at that, they would fight for the schools to have smaller class sizes.
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteThat is a sore subject for me. I've had anywhere from 20-45 students in my California classrooms. Last year I had 20 students. This year, we cut a teacher, added teacher aides and increased the size of class to 37 students. For my district, a small country one in rural California, 37 is the most we've ever had per classroom. The largest we've encountered have been 33.
If we didn't have the teacher aides, the Wednesday minimum days, and other support staff, we'd be drowning right now. Fortunately, with the support we've got 37 students feels equivalent to the work load of having 25 students without support.
When I grew up, my class size was never more than 10 students until I was a freshman in high school. Then it was 30. I wouldn't claim genius by any means, but I would say that it's because of the small size that I went down the road to academics instead of digging ditches. Most of the kids from my hometown even got their degrees in farming so they could make more informed decisions on their parents' farms later. It's a harsh contrast to the farm labor out here in California who can't even speak English.
Anyway, size does matter, if you are a teacher and what to have a life outside of teaching. If you have a family, or anything else going on in your life outside of the classroom, 37 students is hefty work compared to 25 students.
Have a great week.
Randy B.