1. Does Size Really Matter?
cdsessums
By: Kaci Poland

2. Class Size
Class size is the ratio of students to one teacher.
This ratio is regularly enforced in daycares.
Ex) Preschool ratio is 10 students to one teacher
If a daycare center does not follow ratios, there could be legal trouble.
Regular inspections of ratio
3. Importance of Class Size
Class size is important to consider when the following variables are involved:
Physical dimensions of the classroom
Resources available
Effectiveness of teaching in classroom(Hartley, Par. 2)
4. Chicago 2016 photos
5. Background Information
There has been a lot of debate recently about the correlation between class size and academic achievement.
Researchers have been studying class size.
There are financial benefits and disadvantages to both large and small class size.
6. Background Information:Class size in the U.K.
The U.K. government policy recommends a class size of about 30 students. (Hartley, 2004)
Peter Blachfords study (Hartley, 2004)
7,000 children monitored
Used multiple methods to measure effects
7. Background information:Class Size in The U.S.
The U.S. hopes to achieve a class size around 18 students in elementary grades. (Hartley, 2004)
The examination of about 77 study's in the U.S.
The study found as class sizes increased achievement decreased (Hartley, 2004)
8. Class Size In Elementary School
STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio)
Well known study conducted in Tennessee during the 1980s.
STAR compared student achievement in small classes including only about 13-17 children.
The study involved children ages 5,6,7,and 8.
Results: students in smaller classes achieved higher marks than students in larger or regular classrooms, (Hartley, 2004).
9. Chicago 2016 photos
10. Class Size In Middle School and High school
Robinsons research in 1990 found that as students got older the effects of class size became less noticeable.
The STAR program results affected the academic performance in secondary school.
Students in small classes:
Completed more advanced coursework
Lower drop out rates
Were more likely to be in the top 10% of their classes
Took college entrance exams (Hartley, 2004)
11. Seattle Municipal Archives
12. Class Size In Universities
Research has been conducted on class size and has found that increasing the lecture sizes has led to lower scores, (Hartley, 2004).
However, as class sizes were larger and reached 550 students the scores improved.
In general large classes are not effective for:
Retention of knowledge
Critical thinking
Attitude change
(Hartley, 2004)
13. The Benefits Of Larger Class Sizes
Schools can enroll more students
More government funding is given to schools with higher enrollment.
Schools can save money
Not as many faculty members to pay
14. The Disadvantages to Larger Class Size
Harder for teacher to give individual attention.
Less interaction concerning individual students needs.
More time spent on non-teaching activities.
Less classroom management and control.
15. Legislation
Instead of setting and enforcing a student to teacher ratio, the government wants to enforce the hiring of more qualified teachers.
However, most schools pride themselves on the low student to teacher ratio.
With standardized testing becoming increasingly demanding on teachers and students, schools are likely to see legislation for class size as an attempt to see higher marks on these tests.
16. Conclusion
Overall smaller class sizes lead to higher grades at every level although it is not as noticeable in older students.
The government has not yet stepped in to control this issue, however as America becomes more competitive in academic success on a global level, class size may become more of an issue in the years to come.
17. Works Cited
"Class Size Need Not Constrain Teaching." The Chronicle of Higher Education 56.06 (2009). General Reference Center Gold. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.
Hartley, James. "Class size matters! James Hartley considers research into the effects of different class sizes on academic attainment at school and university." Psychology Review Nov. 2004: 27+. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
"Smaller classes? Yes! (But ...). (Research corner: essentials on education data and analysis from research authority AEL)." District Administration 39.6 (2003): 66. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
Wilby, Peter. "Size isn't everything: why teachers may be wrong about this class issue." New Statesman [1996] 31 Mar. 2008: 16. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
Images- all were derived from the creative commons section of http://www.flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicago2016/3277192438/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/4112145057/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicago2016/3277193678/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csessums/4389889668/