Competing explanations of class size reduction effects on student academic achievement were tested using student, teacher, and school data collected from nearly 700 classrooms in over 70 schools during the first 3 years of implementation of California's (K-3) Class Size Reduction Program. Five major hypotheses were tested: (1) overall impact of…

This study investigated Chinese teachers' attitudes about the benefits of teaching small classes. Researchers administered a survey with open-ended questions to a sample of 54 teachers in a mideast Chinese urban school district. The study investigated their responses on issues related to the functions and benefits of having small classes for both…

The report of the National Council of Teachers of English Task Force on Study of Class Size and Workload in Secondary English Instruction takes the position that class size should be studied by itself and also in conjunction with other variables. It also identifies subject matter and instructional design as types of variables combining with class…

This study provides an overview of class size research, examples of various class size and pupil-teacher-ratio (PTR) configurations commonly used by practitioners, and the most recent findings of scientifically controlled experimental Tennessee STAR studies. The learning environment is hierarchical in nature, with student-level data influenced by…

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…

Confusion over the concepts of class size and pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) creates a conundrum for researchers, policy makers, and practitioners. An examination of how these two concepts are different is presented in this paper. A review of the literature suggests that class-size reduction makes a positive overall difference in student achievement,…

Discussion and research concerning class size can be traced back at least to the 12th century. An overview of recent research on the subject is provided in this report. The paper, which serves as an introduction to a symposium on class size, examines research that has appeared in the past 20 years, but it concentrates on the results of a…

This paper seeks to answer the question, "What is the relationship between student achievement and four variables often cited as solutions?" The selected variables are: (1) per-pupil expenditure; (2) class size; (3) teacher advanced training; and (4) teacher experience. Because supporters promote initiatives focusing on these variables,…

A survey with open-ended questions investigated the attitudes of 54 urban Chinese teachers about issues related to the functions and benefits of having small classes (for both teachers and students). Findings indicated that most of the urban Chinese teachers preferred teaching small classes. While they perceived small class size as a beneficial…