education
Does
S I Z E
Matter?
Does the number of children in a classroom vying for a teacher’s attention make a difference in the learning environment?
C
lass size is a hot topic in Hong Kong and is often a top consideration when parents are looking to enroll their children in school for the first time. To a certain extent, the perception is that a smaller class size equates to higher quality of learning. But does the number of children in a classroom vying for a teacher’s attention make a difference in the learning environment? Several studies have shown that reducing class size increases overall student achievement, especially for younger children. One of the most respected studies was done in the US
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and is known as the STAR (StudentsTeacher Achievement Ratio) project. It was a study looking at class size reduction in Tennessee and was conducted with a controlled group of 10,000 students. Classes of 22–25 students were reduced to 13–17. The data showed that smaller classes resulted in substantial increases in the academic performance of children in primary grades. Interestingly, the second phase of the project, called the Lasting Benefits Study, confirmed that the children who were enrolled in smaller classes continued to perform better than their grade-mates
(whose school experience had begun in larger classes) when they were returned to regular-sized classes in later grades. So it seems there is a lasting benefit of starting off in a smaller class size where it’s more likely that students receive more individual attention and are able to interact more with the teacher. Smaller class sizes also mean teachers have more time to teach because there are fewer discipline problems. With fewer students, there are often fewer distractions and students may be more likely to participate in class activities. Teachers may also have more time to cover additional materials.
