EDU 360

Nicole Piccini

Questions to Consider..
1. According to recent studies, are smaller class

sizes beneficial to students?

2. What types of schools primarily have smaller
class sizes?

Benefits of a Small Class Size

Students are able to establish relationships with

their teachers
Students receive higher test scores
Higher attendance rates
Fewer students held back
Less disciplinary problems
Class size in early grades narrows achievement
gap by about 40%
Secondary: students have higher graduation
rates, better, grades, and higher scores on their
college entrance exams

Setbacks of a Small Class Size

Tier 3 students may feel class is not

challenging enough: bored

Students may rely on the teacher to save
them while in a larger class setting, they
have to rely on themselves or each other as
resources in learning
Does not encourage critical thinking
Classroom management may prove to be
even more difficult

Difficulties with a Large Class

Students may not pay attention
Students may not learn material
Students may not connect with teacher
Students may think teacher does not notice

them, may cut class

High-rate of absenteeism
High-demanding, teacher must rush through
entire lesson
Classroom management: controlling the class,
frequent disruptions

Which Schools have Small Class

Sizes?
Charter schools
Alternative high schools
Private schools
Catholic schools

College of Southern Idaho Chart

The Right Size

Kindergarten Students in NYC 2007-2010

What is Needed for a Successful

Classroom?
Frequent teacher feedback
Use of data to guide instruction
High-dosage tutoring
Increasing instructional time
High expectations

Does Class Size Truly Matter?

A smaller class size can be beneficial to

students of all ages, from Kindergarten to

College, because students in a smaller class
setting can be attentive, progress further, and
establish greater connections to the teacher
and curriculum than they would in a larger
class setting.

Questions to Consider..
1. According to recent studies, are smaller class

sizes beneficial to students?

2. What types of schools primarily have smaller
class sizes?

References
7 myths of Class Size Reduction. (2013, June 12). Retrieved April
5, 2015, from http://www.classsizematters.org/fact-sheets-on-thebenefits-of-classsize/7-myths-of-class-size-reduction/
Borja, R. R. (2002). Class size. Education Week, 22(12), 11.
Class Size Reduction national fact sheet. (2013, June 12). Retrieved
April 5, 2015, from http://www.classsizematters.org/fact-sheetson-the-benefits-of- class-size/class-size-reduction-national-factsheet/
Fryer, D., Fryer, R., & Fryer, W. (2013). Getting beneath the Veil of
Effective
Schools: Evidence from New York City. American
Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 5(4): 28-60. doi:
10.3386/w17632
Lee, S. W. (1). CLASS SIZE. Encyclopedia of school psychology.
Sage
Publications.