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Students in a small
group with their teacher |
Students have been shown to be better off when placed in smaller classes rather than big classes. Students in larger classes have been shown to be less successful as students who were taught in smaller classes. Evidence suggests that increasing
class size harms short-term test scores and their long-term goals in the future. Allowing students to work in smaller class sizes allows them to: engage at a higher level, increases time on tasks, and allows teachers to work with their students rather than manage the classroom. Research suggests a reduction from 22 students to 15 students in the classroom as the ideal amount. When comparing 2010 to 2008 classroom sizes, class sizes have begun to increase. The recession forced some states to abandon their classroom-size policies and make larger classes. These classroom size increases also allow schools and governments to not spend as much on teachers and resources. Class-size reduction benefits minority groups and if increased would harm minority groups the most as well. All in all, smaller class room size would greatly increase student success while costing more, but larger classroom size would sacrifice student success for cheaper costs.
Classroom size, in my experience, has always stayed rather constant. Throughout my public school years, my classes have always hovered around the 25-30 student range. However, I was not the greatest student so I cannot say whether that affected my ability to learn. But, I have noticed that some of my teachers were spending large amounts of class time to manage the class. I also noticed that some of my teachers were on edge more often, I am unable to tell whether the class size was a factor but it was something noticeable while I was a student. In college, however, I noticed a greater emphasis on the importance of smaller classroom size. When I was taking my general education courses, I found that learning with an entire lecture hall limited the ability to ask questions and meaningful one on one time with my instructor. As I began taking more specialized classes, I realized that I could learn and do much better in class when in a room of maybe 15 other students. It allowed me to ask more questions and engage with my peers. I agree with the article in the previous paragraph because it aligned with what I experienced in college.
