Small class size is often used as an indicator of quality in higher education, and some research suggests that instructors in smaller classes more often use activities that are learner-centered and that involve physical and mental activity on the part of learners, such as group work, simulations, and case studies. However, we have little…

In the U.S., state politicians directly influence legislation and budget decisions that can substantially affect public education spending and students. Does the political party of elected officials matter for these outcomes? We use a regression discontinuity design to analyze close house and gubernatorial elections from 1982 to 2016 and find that…

The implementation of online texts, videos, homework, and tests has changed the process of instruction in introductory college mathematics courses. With this change, more of the students' learning takes place outside of the traditional college classroom and in places such as tutoring centers and dorm rooms. A combination of chi-square tests--for…

This paper uses an earnings function to model how class size affects the grade students earn. It tests the model using an ordinal logit with and without fixed effects on 363,023 undergraduate observations. It finds that class size negatively affects grades. Average grade point average declines as class size increases, precipitously up to class…

Using university cost data and student data from 176 members of university economics classes, this study finds that substantial monetary savings are realized by offering large classes, although their students have a 38% decreased probability of enrolling in future economics classes. Money savings may translate into enrollment losses. (SLD)

Although the Department of Education declared that smaller classes don't really make for better education, one teacher discusses how common-sense experience keeps getting in the way of the Department's "higher truth." Experiences with "off-track" senior English students in a class of 12 are described. (MLW)

Statistical evidence showed that university faculty with relatively few students tend to assign higher grades than would be expected otherwise. The significance of this association must be taken into consideration when evaluating student achievement and faculty performance. (Author/RM)

Study investigated relationship between class size and end-of-semester evaluation ratings. Size was most highly related to Group Intimacy/Interaction ratings. (Author)

Investigates differences in student perceptions and performance among three distance learning sites taking the same off-campus M.B.A. course with the same instructor. Performance in the two smaller classes was better than performance in the large class. Student characteristics and site variables accounted for more than 50% of variance in…

To assess student feeling toward large group instruction, an attitude survey of 17 questions was administered before and after participation in such a class. Tremendous attitude changes from negative to positive were attributed largely to effective media use in the class. (LBH)

Examines whether class size in the introductory-level economics course affects subsequent performance in intermediate-level economics courses. Studies University of Massachusetts (Boston) students who are allowed to choose large or small lecture classes. Finds that students enrolled in large sections received lower grades in subsequent…

The management of course registration by Wirral Education Authority in England is discussed, along with the relationship of course size and student retention. After providing background information on the control of course size, standards set by Wirral are specified. Data on initial registrations and attendance levels as measured three or four…

Innovations which were incorporated into large, introductory, educational psychology lecture classes are described and compared to smaller classes that did not make use of the innovations. Four innovative pedagogical techniques are used: (1) a mastery approach, (2) formative evaluation, (3) a modified pyramid-like structure using small group…

The comparative effects of large and traditional-sized remedial mathematics classes on college student aptitude and attitude were studied. Two large pre-algebra classes of 129 and 121 students and traditional-sized classes ranging in size from 30 to 40 students were assessed by informal observations and two instruments: a department-developed…