Studies show that class size is linked to academic performance. Researchers
Spyros Konstantopoulos and Vicki Chung: “Class size reduction appears
to be an intervention that increases the achievement levels for all students
while simultaneously reducing the achievement gap.” Their findings
show that low teacher-student ratios have beneficial effects on academic
performance throughout a student’s school career.
The study also found that when class size was reduced, students who were
struggling the most got the biggest benefits. The
National Education Association (NEA) recommends an ideal class size of 15, but with dwindling education
budgets this is an unattainable ratio for most school boards.
Tennessee STAR class size reduction program discovered students in small classes performed
better in math and reading tests by the end of kindergarten. They also
displayed better behavioral patterns and were better at socializing.
Wisconsin’s SAGE class size reduction program, targeted at low-income
schools, found students outperformed their peers with higher student-teacher ratios.
David Zyngier’s 2014 study found overwhelming evidence that small classes reduced the achievement gap.
A 2011 study by Dynarski, Hyman and Schanzenbach: “The study concludes
that attending a small class increases the rate of college attendance,
with the largest positive impact on black and poor students. Among those
students with the lowest predicted probability of attending college, a
small class increased rate of college attendance by 11 percentage points.
Attending a small class also increases the probability of earning a college
degree, and to shift students toward earning degrees in high-earning fields
such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), business
What can you do?
You can opt for private education and select a school where the teacher-student
ratio is more favorable. But for most parents, private education is beyond
their budget. There is much you can do to effect change within the school
system and help your student to achieve despite large class sizes.
Support the National Education Association lobby to reduce class sizes:
You can follow their link
here to take action and become a cyber-lobbyist for change and education reform.
Volunteer: Help out with class activities and field trips. This not only
gives the teacher some much-needed relief, but it also means you get to
see what happens in the classroom. Volunteering helps to build a positive
relationship between teachers and parents and creates a community of learning.
Get a tutor: If smaller class ratios have such a positive effect on learning, imagine
what personalized, one-on-one tutoring can do for your student. Tutor
Doctor in-home tutors not only teach to your child’s learning style,
they also work to the
Academic Game Plan which teaches organizational skills, time management, study skills and
task prioritization so that they have the skills they need to succeed
at academics and in life.
pic by Woodley Wonder Works