How to Reduce a Classroom's Size

Students get more individual attention in classrooms with fewer students.

Classroom size refers to the number of students in a teacher's class. Studies by the US Department of Education show that smaller class sizes increase student achievement and lower teacher turnover rates. Even at the college level, more critical thinking is done in classes with fewer students. So, knowing that reduced classroom sizes are a predictor of student success, it's important for parents, schools and districts to work together to find ways to reduce classroom size.

Instructions

Planning

1. Create a timeline. List your class size goals for each grade level (such as 1:15) and the school year you want to achieve them. If you are worried about budget constraints, you might just work on reducing classroom size for 1 grade level per year.

2. Analyze your space. Work with teachers, parents and administrators to list all the possible spaces for more classes, such as unused classrooms, the media center, nearby churches or businesses that have extra space.

3. Research your options. See if it would be possible to add on to the existing school building or to place school trailers on the property. Check the budget to see if additional teachers can be hired.

4. Talk to the staff and principal. See what other teachers think about sharing a classroom or if other certificated staff members, like guidance counselors and librarians, may teach classes of their own or if other teachers can be hired.

5. Develop a plan. Coordinate your available space and staff members to reduce classroom size. Other options include having 2 teachers share 1 classroom to have 2 classes of 12 instead of 1 class of 24, reducing class sizes in core subjects only by having specials teachers work with small groups as well and/or converting to a year-round or split day schedule.

Implementing

1. Garner support. Reach out to parents, the community and local politicians to get support for reducing classroom size by sending letters and holding information nights.

2. Clear spaces. If you are using unused classrooms or other spaces, clear them out and prepare them for students.

3. Provide cooperation times. If teachers are going to be working together, working in a new room or sharing a space for the first time, give them opportunities to discuss room set up, organization and lesson planning.

Tips & Warnings

• Share your process with the community through local media and newsletters. They may come up with new solutions.

• Give people time to adjust to the major changes at the school. Going from having your own classroom for 20 years to sharing one is a big adjustment.

References

• Council of the Great City Schools: Reducing Class Size
• US Department of Education: Educational Practices Supported by Rigorous Evidence
• Huffington Post: 7 Myths of Class Size Reduction
• Reduce Class Size Now: How To Reduce Class Size