Most-Clicked: Is Smaller Better?

Budget cuts in California will mean fewer teachers and bigger class sizes for many. Last weeks most-clicked SmartBrief news story asked whether smaller class sizes really make a difference in academic achievement and pointed to studies that showed mixed responses. While early research pointed to the effectiveness of a lower teacher-to-student ratio, later studies were less conclusive.

The benefits of smaller class sizes seem like a no-brainer, but critics contend that staffing smaller classes often means hiring uncredentialed teachers to work in the highest-need schools and that small classes benefit high achievers more than low-achieving students.

We've got a whole issue of Educational Leadership magazine debating class size, with most authors favoring smaller, but what's your take on this debate?

Comments

[Kent]

As a parent, would you rather have your child in a class of 30 with the best teacher, or a class of 20 with a mediocre teacher? I would choose the larger classes for my kids every time.

[Kim]

Smaller class sizes don't always indicate more mediocre teachers. It seems ideal to shoot for smaller class size and then accept it that you probably won't have the staff to accommodate that, rather than declaring smaller class size leads to dramatic problems with teachers and giving it up altogether. Just because there are problems with logistically implementing smaller class doesn't mean it shouldn't be striven for.

[Miranda]

I am a charter school principal. We believe in smaller class size because it helps prevent teacher burnout. We need to give them working conditions that will encourage the best teachers to stay in the profession. As for the mediocre teachers, well, at a charter school we just don't have them back the next year!

Miranda

[Bill]

The problem with smaller class size efforts is that if the teacher with 20 students doesn't change their instruction to take advantage of the smaller class, the results are no different than if they had 30 students. All the pilots done with small classes showed marked increases in achievement, but these were done with self selected groups of teachers. When smaller class sizes were implemented on a large scale, there have been no appreciable increases in student achievement.

[Pat]

I have taught for over 19 years 8th - 12th grade mathematics. Larger class size over an extended period definitely causes teacher burnout no matter how wonderful the teacher is AND no matter how small the class mediocre teachers will still be mediocre. In an ideal world 20 students in a class with a good teacher would be best. I also know that many good teachers become mediocre when they are overwhelmed with larger classes so I'm all for smaller class size. At least the good and wonderful teachers wouldn't burn out and fewer students would be exposed to the mediorcre teacher.

[Eddie]

I have taught large classes (plus 60 students), 'normal classes (30) and very small classes (less than 10). In very small classes students tend to become over dependent on the teacher who is readily available. This has been my experience

[David]

School size and grade level size make more difference than class size generally. Check out my website for more information.

[Dawn]

The research needs to determine whether students in large classes are also getting after school tutoring, paid for by the family. My son's school has large classes (32-48)but test scores are still high. However, many parents hire tutors because teachers have no time to help individual students. Thanks

[Barbara]

I've seen research indicating that career focused academies improve student outcomes in college attendance and completion. (Calif.Dept.of Ed. - CA Partnership Academies)
What makes teachers "good"? This broad brush approach ignores the variables of student readiness. The discussion of tutors above shows the same old divide: Socio economic level is destiny.
If we believe that all students can learn, the next question is how. Career focused academies and supportive caring teachers give us some answers.
CAREER FOCUSED ED IS NOT VOCATIONAL ED IN A NEW DRESS! It is a method of bringing the curriculum together in a way that students can create meaning in their ed experience.
Graduates of these academies complete college at higher rates than more advantaged students.
Or is it really all about test scores?

[Janet Epresi]

I have been teaching 25 years with varied class sizes, from 20-35 six year old students. With 35 students in a class it is difficult, if not impossible, to reach students with individual needs. Of course, the advanced students advance more, they have a greater potential, and it should be expected. When I have a class of 20, I can have individualized attention given to dyslexic and slow learners, who need more support. I would absolutely burn out with 35 in a class and would work in a different field. Paper grading, parent contacts, documentation, etc. are a nightmare with larger classes. Teachers have families too!

[Susan Trostad]

I have been teaching nearly thirty years. I have taught Kindergarten classes with 36 students, as well as classes with 18. Anyone who says lower class sizes makes no difference, must not be a teacher, nor have they ever taught in a Kindergarten classroom.

In Kindergarten, not only are you dealing with children of varying abilities who need individualized attention, you are also having to wipe noses, tie shoes, comfort crying children, etc. There is virtually no way possible to reach these children with large class sizes.

I do not feel lower class size means having mediocre teachers. Any teacher hired in our school must have the qualifications and experience needed to teach.I am fortunate to work in a district where we are allowed no more than twenty students.
It DOES make a difference!

[Heather]

As a teacher I find it easier to teach to a smaller number of students then a larger number of students, although I think this can vary by age and grade level. I am able to know more about each child on a personal level, understand more about their performance (gaps) and more about their home/family life. I have taught larger classes and I always felt like the middle level performers were "ignored" and the high and low students got all my attention. I tried to focus on all the students, however there were days when no mater how much of my attention or energy I gave to all the students, there was not enough of me to go around to the larger classes. I find I am able to have more in-depth conversations/debates with my smaller classes then I could with my larger classes. Teacher management skills do come into play when talking about the number of children in a room, however; this has nothing to do with whether the teaching is skilled or competent. I am an excellent manager and I can conduct a class of 25+ or 10 students and they will listen. However, how much individualized attention/aid can I give to those 25+ students? There are so many requirements of teachers and students today how can we not allow both student and educator the benefits of smaller class size?

[Mallori]

I think small class sizes benefit the teacher and the students. In the primary grades many teachers use guided reading and centers for differentiated instruction. The whole point is to have small groups of children (4 or 5) who have similar reading ability. What are the rest of the kids doing while the teacher is meeting with and delivering instruction to 4 or 5 students? They are at learning stations where they must manage an activity independently. In a small class, a teacher can meet with 4 guided reading groups. In a larger class the teacher has to have 6 guided reading groups which increases the time for students at learning centers and decreases the time for direct, small group instruction.

[Melissa Grayson]

I know from my own experience that I have had large classes every year until this year. I have classes of 28-30 every year and this year my classes were all under 25. I felt that I was a more productive teacher. I teach our inclusion classes and I was able to get more student participation in this smaller classroom as well.

[Christina Dill]

Smaller class size can make a difference in a students' education as long as the teacher is utilizing it to the biggest advantage. I teach seventh grade Language Arts and have three Core classes ranging from twenty-three students to forty-one students. I am more available to answer questions, spend more time with each student, and able to differentiate my instruction more with the class of twenty-three as compared to the class of forty-one. With more studdents demanding my attention and help I have to manage my time wisely to be able to reach each one. That usually means spending less time with each student. Also, due to the lasck of movability and space; some projects or activities are just not possible with forty-one bodies in the classroom. Therefor I do believe that a smaller class size can effect the quality of education the students will receive.

[Alvira]

If one has a choice of being in a class with a lower teacher-student ratio compared with a higher one, it would be difficult to make a case for higher one. As long as appropriate measures are taken to ensure that the teacher is not overwhelmed with the number of students per class and sufficient time has been spent in finding effective, qualified teachers, then the probability of helping students that are most in need will be increased. Alvira Khan, Florida Atlantic University, FAU Boca Raton Alumna, http://www.alvirakhan.com