Are there advantages and disadvantages to the number of students in a class? Does class size really matter? According to many studies, there are a multitude of benefits of reduced class sizes, regardless of the subject matter or grade level. Smaller class sizes are linked to better long-term performance, stronger teacher retention, and overall student achievement, particularly for younger, less fortunate kids.
Smaller class sizes have been shown to improve student performance and accelerate learning. Less than 20 students per class provide more customized instruction and improve teacher-student communication. As well as obtaining more input from their lecturers, students in small classes often have more opportunities for hands-on learning than those in large classes.
The STAR (Students-Teacher Achievement Ratio) project, which involved 10,000 students from a control group, was a well-known study of a class size reduction initiative in Tennessee. Classes of 22-26 students were reduced to 13-17 students.
The study's featured schools also had enough room for classrooms and a sufficient number of teachers who were competent. Smaller classrooms dramatically enhanced pupils' academic performance in primary school, particularly for disadvantaged and minority children, according to the trial.
Does Class Size Really Matter?
The answer is a resounding yes! The advantages of reduced class sizes are numerous. Eight of these advantages will be covered in this article.
1. Smaller Classes Promote Involvement
Fewer students mean fewer voices, which gives kids more chances to speak up in class. Discussions provide an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned. Additionally, because of a smaller class size, students have an incentive to engage in discussions and are encouraged to share their thoughts.
Because they are more engaged, students generally perform better in small classes. Students can share opinions and pose inquiries about concepts they don't fully understand.
When there are fewer students in the class, there is more time for them to add their own ideas, express their opinions, and explain their viewpoints. The roots of these ideas can be thoroughly explored by students to deepen their understanding of education. This suggests that all students, regardless of their level of reluctance, have the chance to embrace their ideas and share them with their peers.
2. Incorporate Interactive Learning
There is an opportunity for a more practical component to assignments in a smaller class setting. Smaller-sized classes are better suited for hands-on activities that help students interact with the subjects they are learning about first-hand. Since many children learn better through hands-on learning than through passively listening to a teacher discuss a subject, learning is improved.
By incorporating interactive learning, smaller classes enable students to learn more effectively and more rapidly. As a result, the class covers the topics covered in the course more quickly. Students study more effectively as a result of their increased confidence. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ask and answer questions, so that their fellow classmates can benefit from them as well.
3. Curriculum Changes Are Possible
In contrast to big classes, smaller classes allow for the modification of the curriculum to better suit the needs of the students. A smaller class size enables teachers to get to know their students more quickly and modify their teaching style to accommodate the group's preferred learning styles.
This adaptable method allows students to move on to the next subject without having to review what they already know. Additionally, pupils get the undivided attention of their teachers, allowing them to customize their lessons for the group.
4. Enhanced Class Culture and Connections
With fewer peers, students can get to know one another better and feel more comfortable and secure while expressing their ideas and points of view. Long-lasting friendships can result from these connections.
Smaller class sizes provide students with a better chance to interact with their classmates and benefit from their input on class discussions and assignments. The efforts of every student are also acknowledged, particularly in group discussions. Students are able to learn from one another and have more opportunities to receive instruction from others because of the contributions they make in class.
5. Students Receive Individualized Instruction
Every student gets acknowledged when classes are smaller. A smaller class makes it more difficult for children to slack off and fall behind. Teachers can provide each child the individualized attention they need when there are fewer students in the classroom.
Furthermore, in a smaller class, a teacher is more likely to work one-on-one with a struggling student since there is a greater likelihood that the instructor will notice the problem.
6. More Student Feedback Can Be Given by the Teachers
The learning environment improves and becomes more effective when instructors provide more feedback. Smaller class sizes provide a more thorough assessment of the students' work. When there are fewer students, teachers often have more time to read and remark on their assignments.
When class sizes are smaller, teachers now have more time to customize their feedback in order to make sure that every student understands the material, can obtain the help they need, and can perform to their maximum potential.
7. Prioritize and Increase Learning
In classrooms with fewer students, teachers can devote more time leading classroom discussions and explaining the subject, and less time trying to get easily distracted kids to pay attention. Teachers can also make accommodations for the different learning styles of their students in order to maintain their interest in the course and ensure that they understand it.
8. More Favorable Outcomes
Smaller classes in high school have been found to improve students' performance on standardized tests for college admissions and grade point averages.
St. Paul Lutheran School
We at St. Paul Lutheran School believe in the importance of smaller class sizes and community. Our teachers at St. Paul Lutheran School believe each student is a Child of God gifted with the potential to achieve success, and one way we achieve this is through smaller class sizes.
We are committed to helping children develop their full potential as God's creation as we:
- TEACH children to serve God and others.
- EQUIP children with knowledge and skills for living.
- ACKNOWLEDGE each child's uniqueness.
- CREATE an active, Christ-centered learning environment.
- HONOR GOD through active church participation.
Our teachers at St. Paul Lutheran School are dedicated to developing the whole student to become an independent learner.
We exist to:
- Lead individuals to faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and keep them in that faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Assist parents in raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
- Educate children according to Biblical principles to provide for their spiritual and intellectual growth.
- Academically prepare each graduate for entrance into any Senior High School.
- Achieve and maintain high academic standards in all subject areas consistently integrated with and related to the teaching of God’s Word.
- Help children discover their unique God-given gifts and develop them to their full potential.
- Provide a Christian atmosphere for the development of physical skills.
- Encourage the development of Christian relationships in the home, school, church, and community, and teach love and respect for others and the country by word and example.
- Lead children to express their Christian faith through lives of service to others and responsibility to training.
- Strengthen St. Paul congregation and the church at large by providing effective Christian training.
We at St. Paul Lutheran School would love to answer any questions you may have to see if we are the private school for you and your child. For more information on how you and your family can become a part of the St. Paul Lutheran School family, schedule a tour here!