Education is a right that every human should be able to enjoy, but managing it is another story. In the U.S., there are different sources of contention in the industry, and one of these is the size of a class.

1. City Academy
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Studies Highlight the Benefits
of a Small Classroom Size

2. Education is a right that every human should be able to enjoy, but managing it is another story. In the
U.S., there are different sources of contention in the industry, and one of these is the size of a class.
Currently, an American classroom may have about 23 to 24 students, which is considerably lower than
other countries but slightly higher when compared to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) countries.
There are pros and cons to reducing the class size, but many studies have shown why a smaller one
can be effective.
What the Studies Say
One of the most significant studies on classroom size is the Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR).
This was conducted during the 1980s in Tennessee.
For the experiment, the researchers divided kindergarten students into three different classes. They
randomly assigned them to a small class, which had between 13 and 15 students, and to a large class
with a teacher’s aide. This class had about 22 to 25 students. The third group was a large-size class
with no teacher’s aide. They then kept track of the progress of the children for the next 10 years.

3. Based on the results, the students in the small class had a higher chance of graduating within four
years. They were also more likely to receive a higher education and pursue a STEM career. These jobs
presently provide some of the widest and largest income opportunities.
Before this study, in 1979, researchers analyzed about 300 reports concerning classroom size. They
discovered that children’s progress went faster as soon as their class size was below 15.
The biggest advantage of a small class size is attention. A Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
commissioned report revealed that 47% of those who dropped out did so because the class was not
interesting. However, within the same group, around 75% would have likely stayed if the class was
smaller so the teacher could provide one-on-one attention.
Students were also more likely to remain engaged and would have stayed motivated, knowing there
was an authority keeping track of them. Regardless of the school, whether it is a free public charter
school or a more private institution, researchers found that it is best to keep the student's numbers to
a minimum.
Reducing a class does not happen overnight. In fact, it requires changes in policies and spending. There
is no doubt, however, that students can benefit greatly with a smaller classroom population size.

4. Resources:
https://www.cityacademyslc.org/
https://www.brookings.edu/research/class-size-what-research-says-and-what-it-means-for-state-
policy/
https://nepc.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/publications/Mathis%20RBOPM-9%20Class%20Size.pdf
https://www.ernweb.com/educational-research-articles/dropouts-reflect-on-why-they-left-school-
how-schools-can-help-students-graduate/