Administrators, teachers, parents, and students all over are hearing about the controversy of class sizes. Small classes and their benefits versus the costly measures that are being taken in order to implement this undertaking in schools. There are a lot of different opinions and views on this issue and that class sizes could affect student learning. Some say small classes have more to offer than a large class. They also believe that small classes are better for elementary students, because this is where they establish themselves academically. Others feel that larger classes offer more benefits from a social point of view. Large classes offers more diversity and a large class is cheaper to have then a small class. The controversy of
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However, the unescapable problems that come with reducing class sizes are a major concern. Some teachers believe that students, particularly those in primary grades (k-6), would benefit most from a class size reduction. Studies have revealed that smaller classes are better for both the student and teacher in both scholastic and social skills. It is apparent that our country is interested in improving schools and the reduction of class sizes is one way they are tracking. States are considering the opportunities that reduction of class sizes will have on their students. Some states, are using funds from the Class Size Reduction Program to turn low academic performing schools around by reducing classes. The idea that reducing class sizes can lead to enhanced teaching and learning is one most people would freely support. If one were given a choice between a small classes of 20 students versus 30 students, would there be a dispute that the larger class of 30 students would be a more enhanced in the learning environment for knowledge. In a smaller classroom, a teacher would have time to get to know their student's better and learn their strengths and weaknesses. Also, in a small classroom environment it may take less time to manage the classroom, which means the teacher could spend more time teaching and helping students with …show more content…
There were many programs created to reduce class sizes. The Education Commission of the States identifies 24 states that have established mandates, grant programs or other financial incentives to lower class size and the federal class size reduction effort began (Kennedy). The Clinton administration allocated funds with the goal to help districts to hire new teachers. The Bush Administration which incorporated the No Child Left Behind Act turned the class size reduction program into a block grant program to help improve quality of teachers. The costs of reducing class sizes is not cheap by any means. To accommodate smaller class sizes additional classrooms would have to be built and more teachers would have to be hired for these smaller classes which is a multibillion dollar proposal. Federal and state funds were allocated in 1999-2000 for class size reduction initiatives which totaled $3.5 billion. One state passed the class size reduction incentives in 1996. They spent around $1 billion dollars a year on this program. In 2002, they spent around $1.6 billion, even at this level of backing, the incentives did not cover the entire cost of creating smaller
However, the unescapable problems that come with reducing class sizes are a major concern. Some teachers believe that students, particularly those in primary grades (k-6), would benefit most from a class size reduction. Studies have revealed that smaller classes are better for both the student and teacher in both scholastic and social skills. It is apparent that our country is interested in improving schools and the reduction of class sizes is one way they are tracking. States are considering the opportunities that reduction of class sizes will have on their students. Some states, are using funds from the Class Size Reduction Program to turn low academic performing schools around by reducing classes. The idea that reducing class sizes can lead to enhanced teaching and learning is one most people would freely support. If one were given a choice between a small classes of 20 students versus 30 students, would there be a dispute that the larger class of 30 students would be a more enhanced in the learning environment for knowledge. In a smaller classroom, a teacher would have time to get to know their student's better and learn their strengths and weaknesses. Also, in a small classroom environment it may take less time to manage the classroom, which means the teacher could spend more time teaching and helping students with …show more content…
There were many programs created to reduce class sizes. The Education Commission of the States identifies 24 states that have established mandates, grant programs or other financial incentives to lower class size and the federal class size reduction effort began (Kennedy). The Clinton administration allocated funds with the goal to help districts to hire new teachers. The Bush Administration which incorporated the No Child Left Behind Act turned the class size reduction program into a block grant program to help improve quality of teachers. The costs of reducing class sizes is not cheap by any means. To accommodate smaller class sizes additional classrooms would have to be built and more teachers would have to be hired for these smaller classes which is a multibillion dollar proposal. Federal and state funds were allocated in 1999-2000 for class size reduction initiatives which totaled $3.5 billion. One state passed the class size reduction incentives in 1996. They spent around $1 billion dollars a year on this program. In 2002, they spent around $1.6 billion, even at this level of backing, the incentives did not cover the entire cost of creating smaller