Throughout my educational experience not once did I ever come to think about how much of a difference the size of class makes. As I sit here thinking about how much of a difference my education would have been if the class sizes were smaller. I remember sitting still in class as I observed my teacher pressing against her temples stressed out because her class of thirty-one wasn’t listening to the instructions. “Kids if you can just please listen to me and stop hiding so we can start class.” Mrs. Robles exclaimed. Not a day went by where she did not mention how big this class was and how many kids were crammed into her small classroom as she went over her material. Regardless of it being presented with such normality we are unaware of how much of a problem it has been. In fact, this has been a problem with over 40 states in America and they have all carried out a ruling that entails smaller classes for academic and disciplinary reasons. Throughout the following essay I …show more content…
After questioning teachers whom have taught within larger classroom sizes and then transitioning to smaller sizes, they mentioned only great things about it all. “The findings from this research show that although class size is not the only factor influencing teaching, teachers in large classes believe that class size is a major aspect that impacts on the different teaching methods adopted.” (Almulla). Not every student is built the same way, they have different cultures and support. Some may lack language skills, communication skills or just simply learning skills. “According to Farrant’s (2000) documentation, in a crowded class, there are little participation per pupil supports the foregoing viewpoint.” (Kewaza). Smaller classes allow for the teacher to capitalize on the opportunities presented to them by each student and develop a variety of teaching strategies for each
The latest amendment to the Florida constitution reduces the average class size in schools around the state. Although many people believe that smaller class size will help students learn by giving them more time individually with their teacher, studies prove that class size has little or no effect on student achievement. The class-size amendment is a waste of non-existent money, and in the long run, it will only hurt Florida’s economy and the education program.
For some students, there is a point where the small class size could be harmful to the student in the area of experiencing diversity, the increase in anxiety due to the pressure to do well, completing the class work too quickly, and less opportunity for class activities due to too small of a class. Also, when it comes to small class sizes there are fewer opinions so there are not as many discussions and/or debates in class. Those discussions and/or debates can give the students in the class a new perspective on the topics discussed in class. When it comes to larger class sizes it provides less one on one time with the students as well as one-on-one time with the teacher which can cause the student to struggle in the class when a student needs extra help. At the end of the day, it all depends on the student because every student learns in a different way. The best way to decide which class size is better for the student it is best for the parents to let the child experience both the larger and the small class size because it will give the student and the parents more of a chance to decide which is more
Another point Hudak brings up to argue is socialization. Because the classes in public schools are large, students are not "spoon-fed." ( Hudak) They are forced to take more
“Of course class size is important. You have to find the child before you can teach the child (Archived… 2000).” Though this opinion may seem radical to most people, you can see the underlying theme in the argument. Smaller classes allow students to have more personalized, individual attention from teachers. Many teachers and smaller class size advocates believe that such classes will allow for more constructive group activities, strengthen students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills, and accommodate for a wide range of learning paces. These advocates also believe that a reduced student to teacher ratio will give teachers more time to be innovative and develop new ideas, lead class discussions to further understanding, and give more practice exercises. For parents who want the best education for their children, these proposed effects of small class size make you wonder where the hard evidence is to back them.
Districts have to think about if it is worth the money to reduce class sizes, and if there is enough proof that students are academically better off in smaller class size rather than larger classes. According to Matthew Chingos and Grover Whitehurt authors of Class Size: What Research Says and What It Means for State Policy, “Increasing the pupil/teacher ratio in the U.S. by one student would save at least $12 billion per year in teacher salary cost alone” (Chingos, Whitehurt). Why would districts want to pay for the creation of smaller classes when they could save more by just adding more students to a class? This goes to show that there should not be a price tag on someone’s education. Why put more on a teacher’s plate just to save money? With the result from the Student Teacher Ratio, it is hard for districts to say that having smaller class sizes is not the way to spend money. If the districts spent the money on the class size reduction, they would not have to worry about an annual cost, because once small classes are set in place, the districts do not have to continue to pay. According to the National Education Association (NEA), having class size reductions do not only involve money but also create “improved health, less Medicaid coverage, lower crime rates, and fewer welfare recipients” (Class Size Reduction: A Proven Strategy). So, the districts should also look at this before being concerned to where their money goes. The district’s money, according to the NEA, is going into these students who will live a better life later on when they are out of school and into the real
Complexities such as size, distance, and classes are huge factors that parents look at when choosing their child’s school. The factor of size is seen worldwide. It has been seen that parents, thinking all their kids are special, want their children to be in an environment where they can have as close to a one-on-one interaction with the teacher as possible. Because of this fact, parents prefer their children in schools containing small class sizes (Parents 2001). Due to the fact that private schools have more complicating factors involving student admission then in public schools, it has been found in a 1984 survey, preformed by the National Education Association of Research, that most parents find this small student teacher ratio in more private schools then in public (NEA Research 1984; Broughdam 1996).
Although I live in a small city, the class sizes at my school are large. My larger classes have made it difficult to get the individual help I want, and I know from past experiences that I function at a higher level in a smaller classroom setting. Flagler’s smaller class sizeof 17/1 is very important to me and will benefit to my success.
...pic is very thorough, and even the small town people, who seem so far away, share many of the same ideals as many of our own “big-city” parents and teachers. We should allow high schools to retain a larger class size load, which will open up a budget for more elementary teachers. This would allow us to accommodate a class reduction for Pre-K to third grade, dropping them to 18 students per class. This will allow them the one -on-one time they need, and can greatly benefit from the results of a better understanding of the basics of their education. Furthermore, the passion that could present itself due to smaller classes for learning could carry on with these students to adulthood. This could produce a more passion driven generation to come into our work force. When we have such a crammed budget, what is a person to do but to take the facts and put them into action?
Now smart students should choose what class to go to, because they can be at a higher grade level learning , while the others ones still learning their grade and they can get bettter and be like the other smart kids. No, the class size don't affect the class , but a little bit becaus ewhen other and more students come in they won't have no seat and they'll have to seat on the floor. We also have bad computers that barely can work that's why we got chrome books which are better than the old broken torn down
Class size makes a huge impact on how the student learns. Along with many other things, there is more to the amount of kids in class than most people think. The quality one on one time is affected. Along with that, important questions that the students needs clarity on from the teacher might not be able to be answered because so many other students are in the room asking their own question. Students learn in their own ways. Teachers have to be flexible to how their students learn and in order to do that they need to know their students on a personal level. When class sizes are large, it effects students in negative ways in their learning.
If class sizes where smaller, teachers would be able to do more hands on activities and there would be less chance for distractions. Even through, teachers would be able to do more hands on activities and there would be less chance for distraction. Teachers could do more hands-on activities in a science class likesuch as experiments in class instead of homework outside of class. In smaller class sizes there would be less chance for distractions, more time to review for a big test, there would be more interaction with the teacher.. “In elementary schools, class sizes generally hovered around 20 in 2008, rising to 25 to 30 in many cases this year.” (Giuliani, 1)There would be more time to review for a big test in a smaller class. There would be more interaction with the teacher in a smaller class size. According to Scott Thill “The proposal by billionaire Bill Gates to increase cl...
All throughout the United States for the past several years, states are “hurting because of falling state revenues,” (Emeagwali), and schools are trying to cope with tremendous budget cuts that are resulting in less funds provided for educational services. These cuts are putting pressure on everyone invested in the education system, including students, teachers and any other administration within them (qtd. in Johnson 2), and the reduced budget is not solely affecting any particular level of schooling either. All levels of education, ranging from primary learning to advanced, have been affected (Emeagwali). Additionally, it is not just one or two states having to adjust their budgets; by 2002, “at least 40 states [had] been forced to consider budget cuts,” and these cuts have taken their toll on the amount of funding designated towards educational opportunities (Feldman). As pressures hit hard on state governments, a rise in educational budget cuts has resulted in deleterious effects on the level of education provided to students. As a result, researchers and infuriated teachers and parents have begun supporting education as it is ignored by government administration.
... Class size reduction is another area that would enable our school system to move forward. In a smaller size classroom, educational quality will be improved. Teachers have greater amount of time to build a solid ground for the students to flourish. Though changes need to take place in our current school system, I am thankful to be in a country where my children have the right to be educated.
Each student needs the teacher to give them more than five minutes of attention to them when they are in class. In the article "How important is class size?"by GreatSchools Staff “Academic gains are not the only benefit of lowering class size. A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health revealed that reducing class sizes in elementary schools may be more cost-effective than most public health and medical interventions. This is because students in smaller classes are more likely to graduate from high school, and high school graduates earn more and also enjoy significantly better health than high school dropouts.” The article is stating that children with a group of 20 students in class a sufficient for the students. Student can ask assistants form teacher without having to wait too long than in a lager class it becomes chaotic with too many students. In a smaller classroom student comprehend much more of the lesson and this will help student in the future from dropping out for school. This will improve with funding school hiring more teachers to have a functional
It is not fair to feel intimidated by the number of students in your classroom. No one should be afraid to learn for the fear of embarrassment. Students should not have the opportunity to learn because the teacher can not relate to them, or because the teacher does not have the time to answer all their questions, or because their teacher only gives attention to the smarter students.