Impact of Class Size on Students' Achievement Essay

Impact of Class Size on Students' Achievement - Essay Example Class size is an issue that is largely at the center of the school system, especially since it influences not only the size of classrooms but also the number of teachers in a school (and by extension in the country), hence, it is naturally a concern to parents, teachers, school administrators, the government and all other stakeholders in the education sector (Mosteller, 1995). The research that has been conducted concerning the impact of class size on students’ achievement is particularly wide- and far-reaching, but has on several occasions yielded different and sometimes even conflicting results, thus raising the question, what in fact is the impact of class size on students’ achievement? Another question that arises is whether class size has similar impacts across the grades in elementary education (if impacts are found to be present), and finally whether any present impacts of class size on students’ achievement are residual after the students are integrated back into regular-size classes. Some studies have concluded that class size does have an impact on learning while others dispute this, and this fact alongside the research questions make this an interesting and important area of inquiry. A review of relevant literature based on the premise that class size has an effect on students’ achievement is the backbone of this inquiry, alongside the implications of this literature review and their potential applications in an actual school setting. The literature on the effects of class size on students' learning achievement was collected through a search in education journals, databases and relevant sites. This review consists of primary sources and secondary ones that were obtained after refining the search to focus on the impact of class size on elementary school education.... ievement is particularly wide- and far-reaching, but has on several occasions yielded different and sometimes even conflicting results, thus raising the question, what in fact is the impact of class size on students’ achievement? Another question that arises is whether class size has similar impacts across the grades in elementary education (if impacts are found to be present), and finally whether any present impacts of class size on students’ achievement are residual after the students are integrated back into regular-size classes. Some studies have concluded that class size does have an impact on learning while others dispute this, and this fact alongside the research questions make this an interesting and important area of inquiry. A review of relevant literature based on the premise that class size has an effect on students’ achievement is the backbone of this inquiry, alongside the implications of this literature review and their potential applications in an actual school setting. Literature Review The literature on the effects of class size on students' learning achievement was collected through a search in education journals, databases and relevant sites. This review consists of primary sources and secondary ones that were obtained after refining the search to focus on the impact of class size on elementary school education. A great deal of work has been done in this area over the last three decades, with conflicting results; most studies have suggested that reduction in class size leads to considerable improvements in student learning, while others conclude that class-size reductions may not bring with them any appreciable or significant effects (Pritchard, 1999). Besides this, the other matter that arises is the model of investigations into class size.