Students Benefit From Smaller Class Size
Contrary to “Role of Class Size in Success Unclear” (Feb. 5), reducing class sizes in the earliest grades is a proven reform that benefits children of all backgrounds, especially poor, minority, inner-city and rural children. Every parent and teacher knows that students’ needs are better met in a class of 20 than a class of 30. It just makes common sense. And it is supported by comprehensive studies.
The Tennessee Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio project, launched in 1985, tracked some 6,500 students in 79 schools since kindergarten. It found that children who attended grades K-3 in classes with 13 to 17 pupils did significantly better on tests than children in classes with the average 22 to 25 pupils. Five years later, STAR found that these students continued to outperform others in reading, math and science, even though they’d moved to larger classes. By eighth grade, kids who had attended the smaller classes in K-3 were at least one full year ahead of their peers academically.
In a follow-up study released March 2001, Princeton researcher Alan Krueger found that smaller class sizes can help erase the minority achievement gap. Alex Molnar of Arizona State University released data just last month finding that a similar program in Wisconsin continues to increase achievement among poor students.
Bob Chase
President, National Education
Assn., Washington
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