class size survey

S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K October 2012

S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K

CLASS SIZE SURVEYOctober 2012


• Survey sent to educators in October 2012

• 5,115 educators responded

– 75% teachers

– 12% administrators

• Responders include educators from:

– Rural, urban, and suburban schools

– Elementary, middle, and high schools

– 1-21+ years of experience in education

Methodology


Demographics

Professional Position

AdministratorTeacherOther

12%75%13%

Years of Experience

1st Year2 to 5 Years 6 to 10 Years11 to 15 Years16 to 20 Years21+ Years

1%12%19%18%18%33%

School Environment

UrbanRuralSuburban

40%28%31%

School Type

Elementary (K-7)Secondary (8-12)

60%40%


Key Findings

• Survey responders say their average class size is 23 students, though class size averages differ between school types and settings.

• Most educators believe the ideal class size consists of 15-20 students.

• 62% of educators strongly agree that class size has a direct impact on student achievement.

• In surveyed states, 65% of class sizes have increased over the last three years.

• Educators say the biggest impact of an increased class size is losing one-on-one teacher and student interaction.


S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K

SURVEY RESULTS


According to surveyed educators, the average class size across the nation is 23 students, though averages differed among school types and school locations.

Overa

ll

Elem

enta

ry

Seco

ndar

yRur

al

Subu

rban

Urban

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

23.4

22.3

25.2

21.4

24 24.3

“What is your current average class size?”

School Type School Setting


Most educators believe the ideal class size consists of 15-20 students.

5 to 10 10 to 15

15 to 20

20 to 25

25 to 30

30 to 35

35+0%

50%

6%

19%

49%

22%

3%0% 0%

“What is the ideal class size?”

Elementary Secondary Rural Suburban Urban5 to 10 7% 6% 7% 5% 6%10 to 15 22% 16% 22% 14% 20%15 to 20 55% 42% 53% 48% 48%20 to 25 14% 31% 17% 29% 22%25 to 30 1% 5% 1% 4% 4%30 to 35 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%35+ 0% 1% 0% 1% 0%


62% of educators strongly agree that class size has a direct impact on student achievement.

Stro

ngly

Agr

ee

Agree

Slig

htly

Agr

ee

No Opi

non

Slig

htly

Disa

gree

Disagr

ee

Stro

ngly

Disa

gree

0%

70% 62%

18%

4% 1% 2% 1%

12%

“Class size has a direct impact on student achievement.”

*By how many years of experience

1st Year 2 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 20 21+ YearsAgree 81% 90% 87% 83% 84% 82%No Opinion 3% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1%Disagree 16% 10% 12% 16% 15% 17%


Across the nation, 65% of class sizes have increased over the last three years.

Yes,

they

hav

e in

crea

sed

No, th

ey h

ave

stay

ed th

e sa

me

Yes,

they

hav

e de

crea

sed

0%

100%65%

24%11%

“Have your class sizes changed in the last three years?”

Elementary (K-7)

Secondary (8-12) Rural Suburban Urban

Yes, they have increased 62% 67% 61% 66% 68%No, they have stayed the same 26% 21% 26% 25% 22%Yes, they have decreased 11% 12% 12% 10% 11%


Majority of educators say their class sizes have increased by about 20%.

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%0%

40%

26%

39%

19%

6%5%

1% 1% 1% 0% 1%

“If class size increased, by how much?”


Educators say the biggest impact of an increased class size is losing personal attention from the teacher to each student.

0%

35% 32%

15% 14%11% 11%

5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1%

“What has been the biggest impact of changing class sizes in your classrooms?”

class size survey

Education