Adding Up the Benefits of Smaller Class Sizes
As tighter budgets continue to be the norm at the state and local level, classrooms all over the country continue
to burst at the seams at an alarming rate. While many lawmakers have argued that class size doesn’t matter, the
evidence supporting smaller classrooms is staggering.
"According to data provided by the
National Center for Education Statistics,
the average class size in Michigan is
18 students per 1 teacher."
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Smaller Classes. Larger Benefits.
Studies from Tennessee and Wisconsin have indicated that students who are in smaller classes in grades K-3
score higher on tests, attain better grades, and have improved attendance. The Institute of Education Sciences,
the research arm of the United States Department of Education, has concluded that class size reduction is one of
only four, evidence-based reforms that have been proven to increase student achievement.
Study the Studies.
In the five largest school districts in California (excluding Los Angeles) researchers found that class size reduction
raised the proportion of third graders who exceeded the national median by 10.5 percent in math, and 8.4 percent
in reading, after controlling for all other factors. Even better scores occurred in schools with high numbers of low-income students.
Benefits for Every Age and Stage.
A comprehensive report completed by the United States Department of Education carefully analyzed the
achievement levels of students in 2,561 schools around the country. After controlling for student background,
the only objective factor found that positively correlated with student performance was smaller classes (not
school size or teacher qualifications, nor any other variable that the researchers could identify). In fact, student
achievement linked even more strongly to class size reduction in the upper grades than the lower levels.
Get Educated on Insurance
Do larger classrooms mean increased liability for schools? What are the risks? From A to Z, your
experienced Kapnick Insurance Representative can help with all your insurance-related questions.
