When it comes to your child's educational development, research reveals what educators and parents intuitively know: class size does matter. Smaller classes lead to deeper, more meaningful learning experiences and higher student achievement.

What the Experts Say

The US Department of Education strongly advocates small class size. "A growing body of research demonstrates that students attending small classes in the early grades make more rapid educational progress than students in larger classes, and that these achievement gains persist well after students move on to larger classes in later grades."

Statements from the National Education Association echo this position. "Teachers with small classes spend more time and energy helping each child find success. Smaller classes enhance safety, discipline, and order in the classroom. When qualified teachers teach smaller classes in modern schools, kids learn more," states the NEA, which supports a class size of 15 students in regular programs and an even smaller number in programs for students with exceptional needs.

Perhaps the strongest support for small class size comes from teachers who witness its benefits firsthand. Susan Matican, a 26-year veteran teacher in New Haven, Connecticut, knows from experience how challenging it can be to teach a large class.

"It is impossible to give students the individual attention they need when the numbers are so high. Even if students are grouped for instruction, it means there are more groups and the group size is larger," says Matican. "The larger the class, the more likely it is that time spent on discipline increases, and the time spent covering curriculum decreases."

Matican adds that a smaller class size creates more of a family atmosphere and a stronger sense of community. "There are more opportunities for each child to participate in class discussions and respond during lessons as well as more time for personal discussions," she says, adding that cooperative group work and peer work is more productive with fewer voices in a close environment.

Lynn Tripoli Young has taught elementary school for 36 years in University Heights, Missouri. This seasoned teacher has seen her class size fluctuate over the years and knows that small class size allows for more teacher time and a chance to give kids more feedback as they develop their skills. She believes that large class size can have a big impact on her ability to accomplish the goals she sets out for students to achieve by the end of the year.

"If you're by yourself in a class with too many students, it's challenging to meet individual student needs. Smaller class size promotes a deeper teacher/student connection. With a large class, I find myself constantly rushing around and I don't have time to listen to and connect with the kids in the way I would like to," says Young. Despite the large classes she's experienced through the years, Young has found relief in encouraging parents to pitch in and help out in a variety of ways.