Introduction According to Wyss et al. (2007) students in smaller class sizes receive more instruction time, individual attention and more opportunities to participate. Also, Price and Terry (2008) reported that teachers prefer and feel more comfortable teaching smaller class sizes. Lastly, they explained teachers are more satisfied with their job when their class size is small. Despite the academic benefits of small classes, class size reduction has still not occurred.
Search Criteria
The researcher searched ProQuest and EBSCO databases for research related to small class sizes in elementary schools. The following keywords were searched: small class size, benefits of small class sizes, student and teacher ratio and teacher and student relationships. The studies used for this research occurred in the United States, involved middle and high school students and focused on the benefits of small class sizes.
Small Class Size …show more content…
Some of the benefits described in the literature are smaller class sizes are beneficial for teacher job satisfaction, student and teacher relationships and college access. However, the literature shows that there needs to be more in depth analysis of the benefits of smaller class size. There were not many studies that were able to provide solid evidence that there are benefits of smaller class sizes. The most common methodology across the literature review was survey design that relies primarily on self-reports by teachers and students. And even though these are the main stakeholders in education, other and stronger research designs should be consider to build evidence towards the benefits of smaller class sizes. Despite the limited amount of research on class size, the body of literature still supports the benefits of smaller class sizes, which is aligned with the long-lasting debate in the field of education with regard to large vs. smaller group
Search Criteria
The researcher searched ProQuest and EBSCO databases for research related to small class sizes in elementary schools. The following keywords were searched: small class size, benefits of small class sizes, student and teacher ratio and teacher and student relationships. The studies used for this research occurred in the United States, involved middle and high school students and focused on the benefits of small class sizes.
Small Class Size …show more content…
Some of the benefits described in the literature are smaller class sizes are beneficial for teacher job satisfaction, student and teacher relationships and college access. However, the literature shows that there needs to be more in depth analysis of the benefits of smaller class size. There were not many studies that were able to provide solid evidence that there are benefits of smaller class sizes. The most common methodology across the literature review was survey design that relies primarily on self-reports by teachers and students. And even though these are the main stakeholders in education, other and stronger research designs should be consider to build evidence towards the benefits of smaller class sizes. Despite the limited amount of research on class size, the body of literature still supports the benefits of smaller class sizes, which is aligned with the long-lasting debate in the field of education with regard to large vs. smaller group