Tennessee's Project STAR, a randomized experiment involving almost 12,000 pupils, demonstrated convincingly that small classes in the early elementary (K-3) grades increase pupil performance, reduce the test-score achievement gap between or among different social groups, and can have long-lasting effects. The benefits are greater for minority…

This study examined the effects of teacher aides on students' academic achievement, addressing: whether the presence of a full-time aide in K-3 classrooms would affect student achievement; whether the presence of an aide in the primary grades would affect students' later academic achievement (grades 4, 6, and 8); and whether the nature of aide…

Small classes in grades K-3 boost student academic performance in all subjects and in prosocial behavior. Results are both short- and long-term. One study explored the theory that a major cause behind improved academic achievement involves improved student behavior, which increases student engagement in the classroom. Two other studies provide…

The level of carbon dioxide in a classroom can have a significant negative effect on teaching and learning. Carbon dioxide (CO2) level is affected by class size and time of day. Six urban schools were studied to characterize the effects of these three factors on different class sizes. Carbon monoxide, CO2, temperature, and relative humidity…

The education reform movement has fostered renewed interest in class size. Tennessee and Indiana experiments with smaller class size in primary grades have yielded improved student behavior and achievement scores. Tennessee's new Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio Project (STAR) is a longitudinal study furthering research on small class benefits.…

The Lasting Benefits Study is following up the effects of small class size on the achievement of elementary school students in Tennessee's Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio Project (Project STAR). Results show improved achievement for participants in small classes up through grade 3 that last at least through grades 4 and 5. (SLD)

Landmark studies in the late 1970s and 1980s, including Tennessee's Project STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio), raised the nation's awareness that reduced class size does have a positive impact on students' academic achievement. This report provides a sketch of class-size reduction's history in a prefatory overview. Chapter 1 describes…

Class size in elementary grades has taken on added importance recently. Research on the topic is finally getting some attention. Legislative and administrative actions to reduce deficits are pushing for larger class sizes, in addition to eliminating nonessential curricular activities, such as music, drama, and art. In Florida, various institutions…

The term "class size" refers to the number of students who regularly appear in a teacher's classroom and for whom that teacher is primarily responsible and accountable. "Pupil-teacher ratio" (PTR), in contrast, is an estimate commonly computed by dividing the number of students at a site by the number of professionals who serve or work there.…

This paper provides a summary of class-size research, most of it conducted since 1970. Points are presented as suggestions for policy, for use in schools, and as a basis for added research. Combining the results of various studies allows for some speculation about the possibilities for implementing small class size in the elementary grades.…

Tennessee's Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio) analyzes pupil achievement and development in 3 class types: small (15 students), regular (23 students), and regular with a full-time aide, following a cohort of pupils from kindergarten through grade 3. Preliminary results show statistically significantly advantages for students in…

Most research on the positive effects of class-size reduction (CSR) has occurred in the elementary level (Word, Johnston, Bain, Fulton, Zaharias, Lintz, Achilles, Folger, & Breda, 1990; Molnar, Smith, Zahorik, Palmer, Halbach, & Ehrle, 1999). Is CSR an important variable in improving education in the middle grades? Can small classes be…

This paper summarizes class size research conducted primarily since 1970. The paper discusses various relevant issues for use in policy, in schools, and in additional research. Several studies over the years have focused on: the issue of small being better and less being more and emphasized the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio) education…

Beginning in 1991-92, a local school district undertook a concerted effort to reduce class size in grades 1 through 3 to 1:15, the Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) Project. Achievement gains and research indicated that class size caused increased achievement and facilitated improved instruction. (SLD)

Using research to develop a solid educational foundation can accommodate diverse forces confronting educators, initiate systemic change, and help solve the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR)/class-size puzzle. Small K-3 classes are effective and can be efficient if changes are research-based and exploit class-size and PTR differences. (25 references) (MLH)