Benefits of smaller class size

There are many factors that go into making sure a school is a good match for a child. One important factor is class size. This has been an issue that has been addressed on many levels including the state level and how they regulate class size within the public school system. Private school’s have become a more popular choice since they can regulate how many students can be in a class. This enables a private school to have smaller classes although it will cost more money. Are smaller class sizes essential to educational success?
Let’s point out the advantages of smaller class sizes
According to Boarding Schools Info 2008, quote “Children receive individualized attention directly from teachers, which is particularly beneficial for kids with attention deficit or learning disabilities.” End quote.

Are smaller class sizes best for you?

In 2008 Boarding Schools Info states that in smaller classes students have easier time learning and understanding concepts because of the teacher’s patience. The website states quote “teachers have time to assess a student’s problems, learning difficulties, or attention issues early on and can not only recommend appropriate action, but also ensure results are achieved.” End quote.
In smaller class sizes teachers are able to offer morning tutorials and time to offer student help.
With fewer students to teach, teachers are able to grade tests quicker and easier. With this free time, teachers have time to give individualized attention to students.
In 2008 Boarding schools Info says that the smaller the class size a student is in, the smaller chance the student has in falling behind or asking for clarification. Boarding Schools Info states that with smaller class size comes quieter classrooms, and a lesser chance of students misbehaving in class.

In 1985 to 1989, Tennessee’s project Star was created. The objective of project star is to study the effects of reduced class size. According to www2.ed.gov the project was conducted in seventy-nine elementary schools in the state of Tennessee.

www2.ed.gov says four primary results were reported consistently across the four years of analysis. According to the website, these results were, quote “Differences among the three class types were highly statistically significant for all sets of achievement measures for every measure individually. In every case the significant was attribute to the superior performance of children in small classes, and not to classes with full time teacher aides. “ end quote. The second result according to www2.ed.gov was, quote “With only minor exception, there was no significant interaction with school location or sex of the pupil. A significant small class advantage was found in inner city, urban, suburban, and rural schools alike and the advantage of small class sizes was found for both males and females.” End quote. www2.ed.gov also states that in the years of each study, a few of the advantages were found to be larger for minority students than for nonminorities. In other words it is better for students attending inner-city schools. The last result according to www2.ed.gov says quote “no differences were found among class types on the motivational scales.” End quote.

More advantages about smaller class sizes is according to www.edweek.org is the smaller the class size, the more individualized instructional time teachers have with students. The U.S Department of Education estimates the average class size is approximently twenty-five students.

As well as there are advantages to smaller class sizes, there are also disadvantages.

According to www.privateschoolreveiw.com, small class sizes are not cheap; quote “costs for reducing class sizes are too high for what they call slight benefits.” End quote. www.privateschoolreveiw.com explains the ways in which small class sizes cost so much. www.privateschoolreview.com states, quote “Smaller class sizes require additional classrooms, calling for construction or renovation. School districts may not have the resources o provide additional classrooms.” End quote. The website also says when schools hire more teachers they have a more likely chance to hire unqualified teachers.

According to www.privateschoolreview.com, Critics are not sure if the results of smaller class sizes are temporary or lasting. The websites says quote “the higher test scores of students from smaller classrooms are not maintained through out the students education.” End quote.
These are the many advantages and disadvantages of smaller class sizes. Many studies have shown that the majority of student who came from a small-class-sized environment have proven that they can succeed in life because of a little extra attention by being in smaller classes.