Are smaller class sizes actually better? Although smaller class sizes may be thought to largely increase student achievement there are relatively few studies that can be used to investigate this theory. The most widely cited study that supports this theory was conducted in the 1980’s in Tennessee and concluded that at the end of 4 years classes with around 15 students had a greater level of academic achievement equal to three extra months of schooling compared to classes with closer to 22 students. However other studies concluded results with smaller margins or no differences in student achievement. Smaller class sizes are supposed to have a greater effect on elementary aged children then high school aged students.
Reducing class sizes is expensive for states and school districts. For example, according to The Washington Post to reduce classes from 25 to 24 students 4% more teachers must be hired and 4% more resources must be allocated to these classes. Some argue that schools should spend the money that they would be using to create smaller class sizes to buy other resources to enhance students learning. Class sizes are only one way of improving student achievement scores. Smart boards, newer textbooks, and better computers are all other ways that students learning can be improved.
Reducing class sizes also requires the hiring of a larger amount of teachers. This causes teacher salaries to decrease and can cause the best teachers from some school districts to migrate to other schools where they can get paid more. This means that although students would have more one on one time with a teacher, the teacher would likely not be as experienced as other teachers who get paid better.
Teacher unions on the other hand commonly advocate for smaller class sizes so that teachers are able to better address the needs of their students. At the same time though it can be impossible for school districts to raise the salaries of teachers and reduce class sizes, but according to a study conducted in 2007 81% of teachers in the United States said that they would prefer to have smaller class sizes rather than higher salaries. This statistic however could vary based on where the study was conducted or the starting salaries of the teachers. There are definitely some benefits to reducing class sizes, but this shouldn’t always be the first solution suggested when talking about improving schools.