Topic > Does class size matter? - 647

The effect of class size is more significant than you might think. The benefits of a smaller class usually appear when the class has fewer than 20 students and are greatest in the early years of school. Reducing class size also reduces distraction. There are numerous benefits of a small class. Smaller class sizes have led to improved student achievement, better morale for teachers, and better life outcomes in the future for students who attended small classes at a young age. High test scores can lead students to a great future. With a smaller class size, students receive more one-on-one time with a teacher. This gives students more direct help instead of having to share their time with multiple other students in the class. Additionally, if a student is not comfortable speaking or presenting in front of large audiences, a smaller class will make them more comfortable. “Reducing [class sizes in early grades] reduces distractions in the classroom and gives the teacher more time to spend with each child.” (Mosteller, 2012). This is important because in a large class the teacher must share his time equally with a multitude of students. With a smaller class, there are fewer students for the teacher to share time with. Teachers are able to know their students better, which is important since knowing a student's strengths and weaknesses can help the teacher know how to help them better. In addition to leading to better test scores for students, smaller classes can also lead to better morale for teachers. In a small class, teachers are more likely to have better morale than teachers in a larger class. This is because they are less likely to be overwhelmed. In a smaller class size, schools… mid-paper… have been able to use out-of-classroom staff to save money. In the long run, the benefits of a smaller class size are extremely strong. They help both teachers and students. Students in smaller classes have been shown to have higher test scores, teachers who teach smaller classes also have better morale. Finally, students in smaller classes are less likely to drop out of high school, which leads to better life outcomes for their future. I believe that if an amendment to reduce class sizes were added, there would be numerous benefits for teachers and students. Works Cited Schanzenbach, DW (2014, February 18). Does class size matter? National Center for Education Policy. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/does-class-size-matter"How important is class size?" Great schools. Great Schools Staff, August 2012. Web. May 8 2014.