Growth in Skills Attributed to Class Size
First- and second-grade students showed significant growth in mathematics and reading skills between fall and spring semesters last year, according to class-size reduction study released Monday by the Capistrano Unified School District.
Third-graders, whose classes were reduced to 20 students per teacher, showed small growth in skills for reading and math compared with their counterparts in classes of 30.
The district, which is the third largest in Orange County, reduced class sizes last fall in its first and second grades; and in third-grade classes for nine of its 28 elementary schools.
By January, the program will extend to all third-grade students.
Kindergarten classes will be reduced to 20 students per teacher for at least half the school day.
Students were not the only ones to benefit from the smaller classes, according to the district.
Teachers reported fewer disciplinary problems in classrooms with fewer students, and the vast majority cited improved morale.
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