Introduction
Recent discussions have been focused on class size that may or may not have an influence on student achievement. Debates over classroom size reduction in the public K-12 school system have simulated an abundant research on the connection between classroom size and student achievement for over 25 years. Some policymakers have debated that class size does not matter. These policy makers are sadly mistaken, because class size does matter. Research supports the notion that children learn more and teachers are more effective in smaller classes. Research also has shown that students in the early grades perform better in small class sizes. This is especially true for students from disadvantage backgrounds. The small classroom …show more content…
Research done by Chingos in 2013 showed that in 2010-2011 the nation’s public schools employed one teacher per every 16 students. Hiring fewer teachers reduces instructional personnel cost without cutting salaries or budgets. Declining resources lead to increasing classroom sizes. Often times the effect these changes have on the students are not viewed. So the question is, “Do the districts hire more teachers to reduce class sizes and decrease salaries?” Financial pressures brought on by decreasing funding make it difficult for schools to maintain smaller class sizes (Chingos, 2013). To parents and teachers, classroom size reduction has always been a popular issue. Smaller classroom sizes increase the opportunities for students to receive individualized instruction from the teacher, and it is much easier for teachers to manage. Surveys conducted in 2007 according to Chingos (2013) showed that the public preferred smaller class size over increasing teachers’ salaries. Robinson’s research that supports class size …show more content…
It has the potential to affect how much is learned in many different ways. How students interact with each other and the level of social engagement can be affected by the number of the students in a class due to the noise or behavior issues. Students can pay attention better. Teachers can focus on individual needs rather than a group as a whole. The NEA in 2008 says, “It is to look more seriously at the cost, benefits, and feasibility of hiring enough teachers to effectively reduce class sizes. This needs to be examined more in the high poverty and low achieving schools where resources are not plentiful. The benefits of a smaller class are valuable in the early grades K-3. Although instructional assistants are provided in some of the larger classroom, studies still show that the smaller class size performance is higher. When looking at ethnicity, black students perform better in a small class size than black in a larger class setting and whites. Class size reduction is common sense, but an issue for education administrators and policy makers who want to cut costs and get more dollars. Reducing class size leads to hiring more teachers and restructuring classroom space. The NEA is a high supporter of reducing class size to 15 students in the early grades. NEA sees benefits such
Recent discussions have been focused on class size that may or may not have an influence on student achievement. Debates over classroom size reduction in the public K-12 school system have simulated an abundant research on the connection between classroom size and student achievement for over 25 years. Some policymakers have debated that class size does not matter. These policy makers are sadly mistaken, because class size does matter. Research supports the notion that children learn more and teachers are more effective in smaller classes. Research also has shown that students in the early grades perform better in small class sizes. This is especially true for students from disadvantage backgrounds. The small classroom …show more content…
Research done by Chingos in 2013 showed that in 2010-2011 the nation’s public schools employed one teacher per every 16 students. Hiring fewer teachers reduces instructional personnel cost without cutting salaries or budgets. Declining resources lead to increasing classroom sizes. Often times the effect these changes have on the students are not viewed. So the question is, “Do the districts hire more teachers to reduce class sizes and decrease salaries?” Financial pressures brought on by decreasing funding make it difficult for schools to maintain smaller class sizes (Chingos, 2013). To parents and teachers, classroom size reduction has always been a popular issue. Smaller classroom sizes increase the opportunities for students to receive individualized instruction from the teacher, and it is much easier for teachers to manage. Surveys conducted in 2007 according to Chingos (2013) showed that the public preferred smaller class size over increasing teachers’ salaries. Robinson’s research that supports class size …show more content…
It has the potential to affect how much is learned in many different ways. How students interact with each other and the level of social engagement can be affected by the number of the students in a class due to the noise or behavior issues. Students can pay attention better. Teachers can focus on individual needs rather than a group as a whole. The NEA in 2008 says, “It is to look more seriously at the cost, benefits, and feasibility of hiring enough teachers to effectively reduce class sizes. This needs to be examined more in the high poverty and low achieving schools where resources are not plentiful. The benefits of a smaller class are valuable in the early grades K-3. Although instructional assistants are provided in some of the larger classroom, studies still show that the smaller class size performance is higher. When looking at ethnicity, black students perform better in a small class size than black in a larger class setting and whites. Class size reduction is common sense, but an issue for education administrators and policy makers who want to cut costs and get more dollars. Reducing class size leads to hiring more teachers and restructuring classroom space. The NEA is a high supporter of reducing class size to 15 students in the early grades. NEA sees benefits such