Smaller Class Sizes
Smaller class sizes result in significant gains in student achievement which endure to graduation and beyond. Because brain development occurs at a much faster rate early in life, investing in small class sizes in elementary school has shown the greatest benefits for children. These benefits are not merely in terms of academic benefits measured on achievement tests. But they also include social benefits including better verbal skills, better social skills and better coping skills for overcome challenges and problems as well as improved self esteem. However, smaller class sizes have also been shown to benefit middle school and high school students by increasing both test scores and graduation rates.
One comprehensive report, done for the United States Department of Education, analyzed the achievement levels of students in 2,561 schools across the country. After controlling for student background, the only objective factor found to be positively correlated with student performance was smaller classes, not school size or teacher qualifications, nor any other variable that the researchers could identify.
One comprehensive report, done for the United States Department of Education, analyzed the achievement levels of students in 2,561 schools across the country. After controlling for student background, the only objective factor found to be positively correlated with student performance was smaller classes, not school size or teacher qualifications, nor any other variable that the researchers could identify.
