Issue Synthesis:
An enormously popular education reform, class size reduction (CSR) continues to gain widespread support from educators, parents, and politicians. New federal legislation and appropriations will promote further shrinkage of class sizes nationwide. Federal policymakers drew from experience in Tennessee (Project STAR) and other states, including Nevada, Utah, and—notably—California, which has launched a multi-billion-dollar CSR initiative. Chief among the challenges states face in implementing such policies are shortages of qualified teachers and facilities.
First-year findings from California CSR Research Consortium available at www.classize.org.
Click any of the links below for research conducted by WestEd and other research organizations. We also maintain an archive page on this topic.
WestEd Research
Class Size Reduction: Great Hopes, Great Challenges (December 1999), PDF format
This policy brief highlights the benefits and challenges raised by class size reduction policies. It offers recommendation for crafting a successful class-size reduction program and resources for addition information.
Class Size Reduction in California: The 1998-99 Evaluation Findings (2000)
Produced by a consortium of agencies that includes WestEd, this technical report addresses implementation rates, resource allocation, teacher quality, classroom practices, parent involvement and satisfaction, integration with other reforms, and student achievement; it also discusses early policy implications.
There are many web sites that provide information and research on this topic. Below are links to some of the most important sites.
Education Organizations and Agencies
American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
Founded in 1865, AASA is a professional organization for educators. Visit AASA's Class Size/School Size page for links to reports, briefs, and articles.
California Department of Education
Visit the state's Class Size Reduction page, which contains important information on California's reform effort.
EdSource
EdSource is an independent, nonpartisan California nonprofit that seeks to clarify complex education topics and policy choices—through balanced analyses of education issues and accurate education data.
Visit their EdFact Listing for links to several reports on class size reduction.
Education Commission of the States (ECS)
ECS seeks to help state leaders develop and carry out policies that promote improved performance of the education system as reflected in increased learning by all citizens. Visit the "State Policies, Issues, and Activities" section of ECS's Information Clearinghouse for information on class size reduction.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving legislative policymakers by providing comprehensive information on critical state issues. Check out its information on class size reduction.
U.S. Department of Education
Visit the Department's page on CSR, which contains press releases, legislative information, and research reports, including "Reducing Class Size: What Do We Know?" (update version, March 1999).
Periodicals
Education Week
Visit EdWeek's page on class size reduction, which presents an overview of the issue and links to previous articles.
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