photo credit: Hansel and Regrettal via photopin cc
The number of students per class is a topic that has been discussed and that, from my point of view, It will continue discussing much.
On the one hand, are teachers and educators, most of which argue that the number of students should be less than actual, in many cases 31 class size, if you want to improve the academic performance of these. And on the other, are the institutions, center directors, etc. ensuring that the number of students does not affect your performance.
But, Who is right? It has objectively verified whether the number of students actually affects the academic performance?
These are the questions I will try to answer today.
I am currently reading the book “Brain rules” de John Medina and, but it is not directly topic, if you are pointing an idea that is closely related to the same: "In education today is not taken into account that each brain works differently, there is a brain like another, so each child learns differently and ". The author does not directly mention the fact whether or not the number of students affects their academic performance, but to me if that doubt has arisen me: if every brain is different, Are not they supposed that smaller classes would bring the best teaching process ...?
How is it possible that facilities that have 31 presume students develop a personalized education? Is this compatible?
There are many researchers and educators who have addressed this issue, since Malcolm Gladwell which ensures that the lower the teacher / student ratio is greater academic success; to those who argue that having less than 20 students is counterproductive because the wealth of opinions is lost in class.
What the OECD said on this subject?
One organization that has studied how it affects the number of students in class is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), who has investigated how the number of students per class in the world and how this affects their learning.
According to the organization, the number of students is not the only variable that improve the quality of education, also mention the number of class hours students, the number of hours worked by teachers and the salary of these, as key variables to control spending and the quality of education.
Between 2000 and 2009, There were many countries that invested in reducing the number of students per class, but according to the OECD's academic outcome it was barely noticeable. In fact they say that what really improve educational outcomes is to improve the quality of education, in particular the level of teachers.
Although according to the OECD reducing the number of students does not improve performance class, if it was found that reducing inter- 7 and 10 class sizes at early ages, It had a positive long-term effects. It was also found that the class size reduction affected, above all, those most disadvantaged social groups.
Reducing the number of pupils is also particularly noticeable with inexperienced teachers and in classes where there were students with behavioral problems, mainly, because by reducing the number of students this was an opportunity for the teacher to better serve those students most in need. Obvious, ¿no?
After reading these conclusions I wonder, How many of you, teachers, You have a kind of 30 in which students have any behavior problems? How many of you have a class that you do not have any student who needs personal attention?
According to the OECD reduction of class sizes and increasing teacher salaries have been two major changes controlled by OECD countries have made in the last decade, but ... Is it real in Spain? Do you guys think that in the last 10 years has reduced the number of pupils per class has increased the salaries of teachers ...?
Theoretically between 2000 and 2010, the salary increase for teachers in secondary education was a 14% middle and number of students per class was reduced 7% approximately.
What has surprised me the OECD report, namely GREAT (Teaching and Learning International Survey) is to ensure that, regardless of the number of students per class, the lack of well qualified teachers is one of the most pressing issues in certain countries. I must say, but when I read the report has bothered me enough not to focus on addressing the issue of the number of students involved, On this last point I quite agree.
In fact, the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), suggests that countries that prioritize high level of teacher training, on the number of students per class, perform better than those who do not. Two examples are Japan and Korea, both they prioritize the salary of teachers on the number of students per class, both of them, get some high scores in PISA.
Other studies.
One of the studies on this topic was Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR), US conducted in 1980. In this study, students and teachers were assigned to groups about 15 students, or a class of 22. This reduction 7 Class Size, showed that, 4 years later, students who had been part of the class 15 students, They had better outcomes than those who had been part of the of 22. This equates to give 3 Class months by the smaller classes.
It is clear that there are few studies on this topic, and as we mentioned before, above all, studies speak of an age specific, but according to this study, yes it was shown that reducing the number of pupils per class had long-term effects, first of all, if it has done at an early age or students with social problems, something that seems to agree also with the OECD.
Other benefits that this study showed:
- Benefits for students of color, for the economically disadvantaged and for boys.
- Subsequent research has shown that students who were part of the small group, They were more likely to enter college at 20.
The age of students.
But what, from my point of view, more important it is when talking about the number of students per classroom, It is the age of these. Is it the same classroom of children 5 years that a classroom of high school students?
Many studies compare and put in the same bag a wide range of ages and then generalize.
Do not you think that in a classroom of elementary 1 in which the students are learning to read, for example, should have fewer students? Is it feasible for a teacher who has a class with 30 children read every day with each of them?
There are studies that argue that a classroom of children 5 years should not exceed 20 students, How many children are there in your class?
Conclusion.
Then, Less students? From my point of view studies on this topic do not shed much light on the matter. Each study is about an age group, country and different culture and that, therefore, not useful to compare with each other.
In any case, and the information that some studios offer, from my point of view, the number of students per class does affect results. As I mentioned above, How many of you have the perfect class? With 30 students "ten", all families structured, enabling environments, who are willing to learn and do not have any type of problem behavior. This class does not exist, if there could be a class of 30 or 40, but as it is not as teachers constantly have to deal with students with problems, and even in some cases with students with special educational needs, the smaller classes are indeed necessary.
What do you think you? You think you have fewer students in class learning favors? I would love to know your opinion on this topic.
Thanks for your time!
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
Nelson Mandela
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Obviously the number of students should influence. More and more, I do not know if the result of further progress in the detection or reality of current family, cases of students with ADHD or other special needs. How can you meet the individuality of these students in large groups? If successful, Will not this affect the attention given to other colleagues? It is also true that not all teachers are willing to take the work and preparation involving such groups. I think that even with all the best intentions in the world a teacher is able to assume certain challenges. It is this factor which we discussed that, not be the only, itself is crucial in a classroom. Not only in groups where there are children with dysfunctional families but in any classroom and school.
Hello Enrique,
Thank you for your contribution!
I can not agree more with your comment, above all, with the last point that you realize where you mention that the number of students is not only crucial in groups with students from broken families, but in any classroom.
Thank you!
Cristina
I sincerely believe that the number of students per class affects their learning. Each student needs your attention, Your time, It must be heard and responded; It is to be devoted to it awhile, which decreases the higher the number of students who have. You speak of learning to read in Primary 1; You can say the same, oral expression, both in the mother tongue, and the language they are studying; the student must be able to express, so that they can be corrected.
Today, the kids come to class with the need to express, contact, to make conversation with the teacher…, the more students have less you pay attention you deserve.
And all students have to listen. Do not forget to educate and teach while decreasing cuantgos require more students have.
I speak from my experience teaching. Greetings Charo
Thanks for your comment Charo!!
Completely agree with you. Sometimes it is not a question of more or less learn, it is a matter of communication needs that, with the number of students in classrooms there are rarely covered.
Hello Enrique,
I was looking for information about the opposite and I've found so maybe you can help me or advise….
It is counterproductive and how it affects children nusrtros change teachers for subjects , I explain better….
my son 7 years passed second with happiness that are 19 Children in class, happiness half since with 7 Years have 6 change teachers…..
if only they are 19 They are very active and restless children and personally think it does not help having 6 teachers, deveria usually be the tutor which subjects them more and spend more time with them, next Monday will try to speak with the manager to see if I get any solution but if I can not know where to go or if there is any rule or law about which can accommodate me.
good I liked this post and I agree that lower number of students per class but my question better now……and the teachers? is good so many changes in elementary school children?
Thanks and regards!!!
not very well how or to whom I owe
Hi Araceli,
I'm cristina, the author of this article and blog.
I do not know if your question is for me or for Enrique, author of one of the comments that have the item.
Thanks and regards,
Cristina
someone has the PDF where to find information on research on nomero of students who speak. greetings thank you
Hello Franco,
First, thanks for comment this article.
What specifically interested pdf? Article several investigations are discussed.
cheers and thank you again,
Cristina
Good; I teach in my school two groups 43 students each, and the truth is hard to cope with mostly because they want aprender.Ni for more I talked to them or have tried to be dynamic, if they do not do their part there is little q teachers do. I can not meet the needs of each individual without endangering others.
Hello Luis,
First, thanks for comment this article.
Imagine that 43 Students should be almost impossible to address diversity. It seems excessive…
I admire him because it seems complicated to control a classroom with many students.
A hug and encouragement,
Cristina
Hello , I would appreciate if someone sees this comment mentioning some reference to a file or research has been done on how to improve education with a smaller number of students per classroom .
Les I make it my topic for my thesis and help me much any contribution .
Beforehand thank you very much.
Hello Pedro,
Thank you for commenting on the post!
Research you can make are the ones I mentioned in the article.
Looking each concretely sure you can expand the information.
Good luck with your thesis!
A hug,
Cristina
How did your thesis go?. I could check it?
cordial greeting to all those involved in the blog;
I particularly think of something similar with excessive number of students per classroom, I think it's impossible to cover all your needs, detecting skills, strengths and learning problems.
classrooms have 50 students, and this does not allow me to develop my role as an educator well and apply pedagogy effectively.
I have a question that bothers me, and it is if is there a method or strategy to achieve meaningful learning in a classroom with dense students? , I am from Colombia, thanks and regards!!
Good morning Liliana,
Thank you very much for your comment!
'Over 50 students in a classroom!!! How do you do it?
I know of no method to talk specifically about how to manage a classroom with a high number of students, but I can research on the subject.
Regards and best wishes.
Cristina
I am deputy head of a secondary school in Peru. Year 2015 I found a big problem at this school because classrooms were on average 43 students and some of them came up 50, the reasons why this happened is irrelevant comment. Talk to the school principal and the number of students dropped 35 per classroom for the present 2016, the results still are not expected, but they are better than the year 2015. So from this experience I think that the number of students if it influences the achievement of learning in students and to consider the most appropriate secondary number should be between 25 and 30 Sectional, entoncesi only can meet the diverse learning needs of students.
Hello Rildor,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
If it is difficult to work effectively in classrooms 30 students, I do not want to imagine in a classroom with 50.
I hope that gradually the results that you seek consigáis, I'm sure you will do.
Share with us how you are going to evolve.
A hug,
Cristina
I would like to know more precisely the sources where they get interesting information. I am a teacher working with 40 students per shift, morning and afternoon and I want to make an effective proposal to the school authorities about.
Hello Derly,
Loa data commented in the article have been taken from various sources.
One of them, as commented, is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Another study has been consulted Student Teacher Achievement Ratio is (STAR).
Performing a quick search on Google should sprout both.
I hope this information is helpful.
A hug,
Cristina
Bibliographical sources, no bodies. You know how many reports generated by the OECD? Hundreds.
Good Morning,
Article clearly states that the data are drawn from TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey), from OECD.
Doing a simple search on Google is easy to find.
A greeting,
Cristina
Hi Cristina, in my case my concern is the opposite case. My son 3 years only going to have 3 class fellow (We have enrolled in a new school that just opened and so the moment has so few students), and I fear that this will influence negatively, since I find very few children. You will undoubtedly have an almost exclusive dedication from teacher, or in this case guide, because it is a school with Montessori methodology, but when playing in the yard, when engaged in school activities, to share experiences, just going to have 3 peers who do. For me it is essential that a child is at ease in school and feel happy and do not know if with so few children will be possible or do something boring, more if it were not so congenial with their peers. Not the same friends to choose from over 20 comrades from 3.
Hello Sergio,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
From my point of view you do not have to worry. First, It is fantastic to be as little children, above all, to really effectively implement a methodology such as Montessori.
Logically, when few children there is less diversity in class, but they are small for “to choose” the kind of friends that want to play, They make sure pineapple between four and will not have any problem.
A good way to meet the “possible shortcomings”, It is that you bring forth to school activities outside the cole. Id much to the park to play with other children. This will expand his circle of pals.
I would love to me you were telling how evolves over the course.
A hug,
Cristina
Excellent article, very successful. The number of students actually influences the development of the class and performance. you can not devote the time that each student deserves, as needed, when you have such a large group of students. In my case I give classes 45 children whom 5 They are diagnosed with ADHD.
Hi Alejandra,
Thank you for commenting on the post!
I send a lot of encouragement.
It has a lot of merit to teach such a large group and, further, where you have students who need more attention.
A big hug,
Cristina
It's OECD
Thank you for the clarification Abi! OECD stands for Castilian, I put OEDC as indicated by its official logo (acronym in English)
A hug,
Cristina
Hello I could spend sources or articles from which you base your opinion. I thank. And I agree the number of students in disadvantaged areas and more learning affects students and especially in the quality of education so much talk right now in my country.
Hello Ale,
From which country you write us? What ratio there have?
Data commented in the article have been taken from various sources.
One of them, as commented, is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Another study I consulted Student Teacher Achievement Ratio is (STAR).
Performing a quick search on Google should sprout both.
Anything else please tell me.
A hug,
Cristina
The number of students obviously influences. It is impossible for a teacher really dealing with diversity when 40 or more students in the classroom. Now if we 50 students eager to learn without special educational needs would not have problems with the number of students… But that kind Not There ! Thus, diversity in the classroom is necessary and very rich but adequate number to promote quality and not mediocrity , to effectively handle pupils , and also not to exhaust and overwhelm teachers.
Hi Nelson,
I can not agree more with your comment!
Really, It is not just a matter of number of students, but its characteristics.
Thanks for sharing your thinking with us.
A hug,
Cristina
Hello!!!!
I have a big question. I guess there is a difference if the number of students we talked corresponds to basic education or secondary education. In relation to that… What is the optimal number of students in basic education (1ERO and the 2nd basic eg) in a classroom?????.
Cheers
Carolina
Hello Caroline,
When you refer to 1st and 2nd basic, Are we talking about primary education or early childhood education?
A hug,
Cristina
greetings Carolina.
My kids were in school 15 – 20 children per classroom, however the cost is too raised and now try in a school that has children 30 – 35 per class, what can you expect for adaptation of children to these new groups? Education “custom” it may be a factor against now they will have to rely on a more individualized? My children are 5 years and 9 years old.
Hello Veronica,
Adaptation of your children depend, to a large degree, their teachers or teachers.
Personally, I do not think that your children have gone to school with small groups, Now go to be harmful.
Obviously, for obvious reasons, attention will never be the same in a group of 15 children in a group of 30, but if they are students that go well, and easily adaptable to change, They should have no problem.
A hug,
Cristina
Good afternoon I need you to please you and I do please tell me if information on how many students is evident in a document must be backed student in a classroom. Thank you.
Eva good afternoon,
Article reports on detailed this article is based.
A hug,
Cristina
Hello, good afternoon, Cristina. I would ask please, tell me your name, and I'll quote it and I need it. Thank you, in advance.
Good morning Nazareth,
My name is Espinosa.
Tell me a little more about the item which you mention me! 🙂
A hug,
Cristina
Hello My concern is that my son was expelled from his school is academically excellent but the discipline every day gets worse
Now we enrolled in another school to complete its seventh grade because it lacks little
I want to change their behavior and do not make the same mistake the other school Disen me quiet because it is only here to study with 4 students that they can help or hurt me please can guide me thanks
Hi Lorena,
At first, if only they will be 4 students, should improve its performance considerably.
Mainly because teachers will be more aware, they will spend more time, etc.
In any case, when ye ye another school, ¿Analizasteis the reasons for such behavior? It is essential to be clear why your child behaves well, for, thus, to address that behavior correctly.
A hug,
Cristina
Big issue that I have a problem with my son desicion you already have 3years and start going in your classroom are 23 especially school children, My concern is that my son does not speak Ahun only eight words unlike other children in her classroom this worries me a lot in learning nose if change in another garden with a number of 10 I think children will be served very well apart will begin his speech therapy nose to do , thanks for your answer .
A hug.
Hi Lorena,
Undoubtedly, the fewer children will be more personalized attention, but it is also important to consider the methodology of the center, what resources will be put at your disposal to improve your child's development, etc.
You must evaluate all that plus the number of students.
A hug,
Cristina
I have a doubt , there may be less than 15 students in a classroom?
Good morning Luisa,
That depends on the school, Age of children, etc. Centers usually are not interested in having that number of students in a classroom, but power, Of course you can have classrooms with the number of children.
How old are we talking?
A greeting,
Cristina
In my school we are always many
Each classroom has between 40 and 45 students
This makes it difficult to make effective and teaching master classes because with the gra number of students can not do things that require more than copying as much clutter is formed and the teacher can not control the
however it is one of the best schools
Hola Ivonne,
'OMG 40/45 students!!! How do you do it??
I find it extremely difficult to cope with such a class…
A hug,
Cristina
From my country, Mexico greet you and think, my experience, the number of students per classroom is crucial, along with another(s) factors, as the type of subject (and age although the latter to a lesser extent). In my country it has invested heavily in Educational Reforms, I think, uselessly, because that way it is expected that the quality of education is improved if the classroom to 60 students served by one teacher at a time? Even, the best technology and infrastructure and educational materials would be better used if the number of students per classroom was optimized.
Seeking how to get this concern to the relevant authorities to take posession enter this December, the change of president. Do you have any idea?
Hello Veronica,
I think the first step, is made aware of this situation those responsible for the center.
They are the intermediate step between teachers and authorities.
If they are not aware of what it means to have a large number of students in class, the change will never occur.
A hug,
Cristina
Hi Cristina.
My name is Pablo Nieves Barba, I graduated in basic education in Mexico, Today happily retired. Labore 35 years at the secondary level and, regularly, I attended 7 groups of 35 a 45 students, during the morning shift (High School double shift).
I identify with most teachers who claim that diversity in students can only be served personally, by having large groups this practice can not be carried out.
Congratulations on your article.
Hi, Pablo,
Thank you for commenting on the post and dedicate your time to read the article!
It is an honor that a professional with your career discuss one of my posts 🙂
A hug,
Cristina
Education depends on many factors to be efficient. Apart from those already mentioned that fewer students per classroom, trained teachers, home economy, the conscious society, etc ... what is wanted is for the student to go to a school motivated and with the need for improvement or preparation to be able to survive in the future knowing what school preparation will serve them, the child from birth must aim at a north of improvement. and that must be offered by educational institutions, parents and society (which includes the technology that keeps current societies asleep) If we ask a young man, why do you go to school?? They only hit ten I don't know, Others I go to be a professional but their effort against everything is sometimes truncated because their country does not have the field of action or work they need …Thank you
Thank you for your reflection Bayardo!
A hug,
Cristina
Hello, good afternoon:
Thanks for your contributions, personally I consider that the variable “number of students in classroom” is essential to improve academic learning, regardless of other variables you mentioned
I hope and that you published reaches directors, deputies, gazebos, governors, President of the Republic and Secretary of Education, so that they are aware of the academic and labor aspect in the teaching profession.
Hi Erika,
I hope so… In the end, the main tool we have as teachers is to do “noise”.
Thank you for commenting on the post.
A hug,
Cristina
Good Cristina my name is Cyntia Arias I am Argentina from Salta province Capital department. I am a teacher of the primary level in public school (last year in first grade boys between 5 a 7 years with 23 children of which 2 children included (ADHD, autism) who required more attention than the other children who were also very heterogeneous and each with a different need and attention, including affection, economic containment and others that have a high impact on learning: ( 30 children) And when even though only one was missing from class, you could tell the difference. At the end of the year, the children who had the most difficulty were asked to continue going to school:therefore one as a teacher can help and better each one of them. I am currently with children from 12 a 14 years in the last year of primary school and I can compare that such young children demand much more from you: It is to be standing and going all the time bank by bank to each one and the teacher of vocational training courses for young people and adults (18 years and older without age limits): 20 students: In total I have 50 different realities and each one demands something specific.
In conclusion, I agree that the number of students does matter: the smaller the quantity, the greater the better care. I congratulate your article spectacular: that he was actually looking for other creative and alternative ways teachers do to demand a living wage and corruption irregularities in the ministry of education. Since reaching a month we must work in several schools and mostly when we get home we continue with our work: preparing resources, administrative papers. etc . We are currently on a teaching strike: We do not go to school and we go out to march and make roadblocks to claim, but I don't want to hurt my students without classes. I would appreciate it very much if you know where I can consult and other realities in other countries or creative ideas so as not to harm my students without going to class.
Hi Cyntia,
Thank you for taking your time to read and comment on the post..
The truth is that I do not know the educational reality of Argentina, so little I can advise you.
On how to help students if you don't go to class… you can do little.
Students should not be left without class when there is a strike to demand something that, by right, should be ours, but I understand that it is the whiting that bites its tail 🙁
I hope that little by little the situation will improve.
A hug and thanks again,
Cristina
Good day, although in his text he mentions that there is not much information about the number of students per group pointing towards a better quality in education, I totally agree that the number of students is important, then we know that there are many factors that the OECD itself has pointed out, and we are aware that the training of a teacher also influences and if we see it that the more factors that aim to improve both the teaching-learning process, as the transmission of knowledge. Everything will improve the detail is the budget part where not everything can be channeled to education, in several countries and the fewer students will obviously be more groups, there will be more teachers and logically the salary can be reduced when there is no adequate budget to cover that need in a governmental way.
And be in front of a group of 35 upper secondary or high school students is not easy at all, are challenges that make us improve in our teaching practice.
And demonstrate our ability and vocation, I loved finding this publication because it has sincerely contributed a lot to me and I learned something new.
Blessings.
Hi Yulibeth,
Thanks for your time and for commenting on the post.
I agree with you that another very important factor is salary… There is no doubt that motivation at work always comes from three “pillars”: professional fulfillment, the work environment and salary.
I wish education was better paid… He should be.
A hug,
Cristina
Good Morning.
Please could you provide me with full details of the author,
thanks for the contribution.
Hello Adriana,
Do you mean the author of the article?
That's me! 🙂
A hug,
Cristina
Hello
The truth is that I have always thought that the number of students greatly influences their education. There are varied personalities, which some are a bit the reflection of home, whether to give great importance to education or not. That child who does not give importance to this issue , will be dedicated to producing disorder in the classroom. In our private subsidized school, there are courses of 38 and 40 students. Also in my opinion of a poorly trained professor, which due to the bad behavior of some children, they collapse very easily and quit. How to recover the time of a new adaptation with the new teacher and this at the same time to the course? It's a difficult topic,Which becomes more difficult even with a large number of students per room, this could be compensated by having a fixed-point assistant supporting the teacher, but in reality it only happens in preschool courses, quarter up, occasionally.
I could talk to you more extended, but I think we're fine there for now.
Cheers.
Thanks for your reflection and contribution to the blog Solange.
40 students is crazy…!
I think the groups should not be more than 25 students, and even so, they should always have a support person to help the full professor, that is the only way to meet the diversity and needs of children.
Much encouragement in your teaching work.
A hug,
Cristina
Hi Cristina, Greetings from Panama!, I am a university student of the faculty of education and I want to congratulate you since I find the information you present in this article very interesting.
I would like to know if you can please provide me with information such as your last name and the date (day, month and year) of this publication to place it as part of the bibliographic reference of the topic that I am developing.
Thanks again for the contribution you make on the blog.
Hello Gustavo,
This article was published on 24 November 2014.
My full name is Cristina Espinosa.
Cheers,
Cristina
Hello, a question could help me with the full name of the author and the date of publication
Good afternoon, Could you help me with the full names and surnames of the author. Thank you
Hello Valentina,
The author of the post is me, Cristina Espinosa 🙂
A hug,
Cristina
Good Cristina. I would like to mention you in my TFM. So that, If you don't mind telling me your surnames privately for the bibliography… It would be great. Thank you.