Web Sources about the
Class Size Issue in Education


MIDDLE SCHOOL SIZE MATTERS (PDF file) -- "Smaller is better" for middle schools when it comes to interdisciplinary teaching and planning, say this team of researchers from the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. "School Size Matters in Interesting Ways" appeared in the Middle School Journal (May 2001) and is now available in PDF format at the CPRD site or at MiddleWeb in HTML format.

"SMALL SCHOOL" TRENDS AND RESEARCH -- Small schools work, says this article in "New Rules," a quarterly publication by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Small schools have higher graduation rates, less violence, more parent involvement, and they can significantly reduce the impact of poverty on student achievement. The article reviews recent research and "small schools" trends in urban and rural settings.

CLASS SIZE BIBLIOGRAPHY -- Download this PDF file at the Connecticut Department of Education and scroll down to find a long list of class size bibliographical entries, with web links.

SMALLER CLASSES IMPROVE ACHIEVEMENT OF POOR KIDS -- An ongoing evaluation by the Center for Education Research, Analysis and Innovation (CERAI) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee continues to show evidence that reducing class size leads to improved achievement among elementary school students living in poverty. The latest report on SAGE also addresses teaching strategies that can be used to make small classes more effective.

WHY RURAL MATTERS -- State-by-state data on rural education and related issues from the Rural School and Community Trust. "We believe it is the first attempt to describe the importance of rural education in each of the 50 states, and to suggest the urgency with which policymakers should address the needs of rural schools and communities."

"In Teaching Math, Few Benefits in Small Classes" -- A sociologist's study of class size in the United States and abroad finds little benefit in 8th-grade math classes of less than 19 students. (Christian Science Monitor, 8/10/99)

Massive California Study on Class Size Releases First-Year Report -- The California Class Size Reduction Research Consortium has released its first-year findings of a four-year study. the consortium consists of American Institutes of Research, RAND, WestEd, EdSource, and Policy Analysis for California Education. This page includes links to a summary report, press releases, and a technical paper. The bottom line: "Early findings from an ongoing evaluation of California's massive, K-3 class size reduction initiative indicate that students of all backgrounds have made small achievement gains, but teacher quality has suffered and many districts, particularly in urban areas, face difficulties in finding staff, space, and funds for the new classrooms required." (6/99)

Feds make the case for Class Size Reduction -- A study by Jeremy Finn, with recommendations for further research, is available on the ED site. And a story in Education Week notes that the Education Department's position on class size has shifted over time.

Education Week -- Be sure to check out this Ed Week issues page, which has a brief summary of the issues and research and many useful links. You can also search the Education Week site for "class size."

Smaller = Better? -- "A wave of popular support has buoyed up the idea of reducing school class sizes across the country. But does it work? Maybe so, maybe not," the editors of State Legislatures magazine tell their audience of politicians and legislative staffers. Several articles review trends and research and take a close look at California's recent experience.

Small Classes: Popular, But Still Unproven -- Despite decades of study on reducing class sizes, Education Week reports, scholars remain deeply divided over whether simply reducing the number of children in a class can bring about lasting improvements in achievement. Includes: "State by State," a breakdown of how much money each state would receive under President Clinton's proposal to spend $1.1 billion to reduce class sizes. (2/18/98)

Teachers of the Year Talk about Class Size -- From ED's Teacher of the Year listserve.

Does Class Size Matter? -- A lengthy article in the October 13, 1997 issue of U.S. News and World Report examines California's "wildly popular" class-size reduction effort and warns that while the approach is politically popular, "across-the-board cuts in class size are not the most cost-effective way to spend education money. As the class-size crusade spreads to other states, the question of how the reform is implemented--who benefits and who doesn't--deserves scrutiny. Smaller classes could be one of the most important school reforms of recent years--or a colossal waste of money."

The Status of California's Class Size Initiative -- A one-year status check on California's class size reduction initiative. Article from "Thrust for Educational Leadership," published by the California School Administrators Association.

A Class Size Reduction Newsletter -- WestEd, the Far West Education Laboratory, maintains a monthly on-line newsletter about class size reduction, with an emphasis on the California initiative.
Educational Testing Service -- A recent study, "When Money Matters: How Educational Expenditures Improve Student Performance and How They Don't," by ETS researcher Harold Wenglinsky, "suggests that every effort should be made to ensure that available district dollars get to the classroom, particularly to make classes smaller." Summary of study. Education Week also reported on this study August 6, 1997.

AASA Resources on Class Size -- The American Association of School Administrators has a good resources page on class size as part of its "Front Burner" issues series. Includes a bibliography. Of particular interest: An October 1997 article in "School Administrator" magazine by Charles Achilles, a long-time advocate of smaller student-teacher ratios.

Should Classes Be Smaller? As Enrollment Rises, Issue Divides Educators -- This December 1997 piece from The Washington Post explores class size issues in the context of Virginia's burgeoning school enrollments.

Parents in Oregon Pushing a State Initiative on Class Size -- A group of Portland parents, tired of crowded classrooms and frustrated with the Legislature, have launched a campaign with voters to drive down the growing number of large classes in Oregon, reports The Oregonian newspaper.

Class Sizes Defy Easy Resolution -- Detroit school leaders debate the President's proposal to reduce class sizes. Detroit Free Press.

Class Size Reductions in Maryland -- Montgomery County, Maryland's decision to reduce some class sizes highlights the district's 1998-99 budget and reflects a national education trend that has gained political momentum. (Washington Post, 2/5/98)

Summary of Clinton Class-Size Story -- from the Daily Report Card.

Small Schools: A Related Issue? -- A synthesis of research in the January 1998 issue of Educational Leadership--"Small Schools: A Reform That Works"--concludes: "Numerous studies confirm that small schools lead to improved student achievement and enable educators to realize many of the other goals of school reform."

RESOURCES NOT CURRENTLY ON THE WEB

Using Class Size to Reduce the Equity Gap (Educational Leadership , December 1997/January 1998)-- Researchers Charles M. Achilles, Jeremy D. Finn, and Helen P. Bain argue that primary grade classes with an average of 15 students result in higher student outcomes, particularly for minority children.

Education Research Service -- ERS has published eight case studies of the effect of the reduced class size initiative in California. ERS did the project for the Association of California School Administrators. The document includes some lessons learned and recommendations. Contact Nancy Protheroe at ERS for information about the report (703) 243--2100.

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