Class Size: Can School Districts Capitalize on the Benefits of Smaller Classes?

Autor/inn/en	Hertling, Elizabeth; Leonard, Courtney; Lumsden, Linda; Smith, Stuart C.
Institution	ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, Eugene, OR.
Titel	Class Size: Can School Districts Capitalize on the Benefits of Smaller Classes?
Quelle	(2000) 1, (21 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Reihe	ERIC Publications
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Class Size; Educational Policy; Educational Strategies; Elementary Secondary Education; Professional Development; Teacher Student Ratio; Teaching Methods + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Klassengröße; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; Lehrstrategie; Lehrer-Schüler-Relation; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode
Abstract	This report is intended to help policymakers understand the benefits of class-size reduction (CSR). It assesses the costs of CSR, considers some research-based alternatives, and explores strategies that will help educators realize the benefits of CSR when it is implemented. It examines how CSR enhances student achievement, such as when the student-teacher ratio is reduced significantly, and details some teachers' reports on the benefits of small classes; for example, students in smaller classes learn basic skills and subject matter more quickly and more thoroughly. Teaching practices in small classes are also examined, with a focus on pedagogy in Tennessee and California. Some of the costs associated with CSR include a reduction in teacher quality and a shortage of personnel and facilities. Alternatives to CSR include enhancing teacher expertise, reorganizing schools, using cooperative learning groups, peer tutoring, schedule changes, team teaching, using parents and volunteers, more computers, and teacher aides. The report stresses the importance of ensuring that enough well-trained teachers are available to meet the increased need, which includes replacing those teachers who will be retiring. The last section of the publication outlines ways to design a policy that is tailored for each district's needs. (RJM)
Anmerkungen	ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 5207 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5207. Tel: 800-438-8841 (Toll Free); Fax: 541-346-2334. For full-text: http://eric.uoregon.edu.
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC