Class Size Inches Higher. Does it Matter?
November 18th, 2011By NY Ed Reform Guest Blogger Peter Murphy
For every claim that class size matters, there are plenty of reputable studies that say it doesn’t, at least within a certain variance of students. A quality instructor that is able to provide differentiated instruction for various learning levels within a relatively large classroom of students often is more likely to generate better academic results than an average teacher using unwavering direct-instruction techniques in a smaller class of students.
Teacher unions’ efforts to push for smaller class sizes, essentially lobbying for more funding to hire more staff, is analogous to some self-interested corporation sponsoring research that in the end does little to advance its institutional interest (cigarette manufacturers claiming tobacco use is not injurious, oil companies claiming that drilling has no negative effects on the environment, etc.). Research funded by a party such as a union or a corporation does not necessarily indicate the research is faulty, but the bias of the source should be understood.
This week the union-supported group Class Size Matters released a PowerPoint showing that class sizes have been increasing annually in New York City since 2007, even when state school aid was still on an upward trajectory (that is, before the cuts of the past two years). For example, Class Size Matters notes that K-3 classrooms increased from 21 students to more than 23, and from 26 to 26.6 for grades 4-8.
To have a shred of respectability, any discussion about the number of students per classrooms also should include a trend analysis of student-to-teacher ratios, which is the number of students per teacher. If plenty of adult instructors remain in the classroom providing instruction and assistance to students, class size may not matter at all.
In New York City, there were 14.4 students per classroom teacher in 2010-11. While class sizes have indeed been inching upward, the student-teacher ratio for New York City has been declining in the last decade, from 15.8 in 2001-02, to 14.6 in 2004-05 to the current leveling off number of 14.4. Statistically, slightly higher class sizes in the last four years have not resulted in more students per teacher. This is an important point, but one that often goes unmentioned by those hammering away on the class-size issue.
There is cause for concern about New York City’s schools, however, even when looking at student-teacher ratio figures. The city’s ratio of 14.4 students per teacher remains higher than the state average of 12.9, and the state average is lower because the average ratio outside of New York City is lower still, at 12.2 students per classroom teacher. With a greater concentration of high-needs students in New York City compared to the rest of the state, the regional discrepancy in student-teacher ratios lends support to the argument to shift funding from lower-need districts to the city.
But even student-teacher ratio data should not be viewed as the ultimate force on funding decisions. More appropriate is the quality of instructor and the school’s instructional model being used. The KIPP network of public charter schools, for example, average 27 to 35 students per class – a far greater number than those being whined about by the teachers unions – and yet on average KIPP charter schools regularly out-perform district schools. So before policy makers get too caught-up in any class-size debate, let’s make sure the right person is teaching the right stuff in the right way before giving further credence to limiting the number of students that go into that classroom. Without the academic focus, the class-size debate is revealed to be more about the wants of adults rather than needs of schoolchildren.
Peter Murphy is Policy Director for the NY Charter Schools Association and writes The Chalkboard Blog and may be followed on Twitter @PeterMurphy26.
This article is ridiculous. My classes are normally between 25-30 – generous by NYC standards. In many schools around the city the reality is closer to 35 students- not an optimal learning environment in any situation and an invitation to burnout even for the most talented teacher. Presenting this issue as whining by the “teacher’s unions” is nonsense. The majority of educators know they can do a better job of teaching when their average class size is between 20-25 and for elementary classrooms it’s a bit lower still-that’s just common sense. Of course instruction is important, and many of us teachers “whine” about the lack of control we have over instructional content and delivery as well. Anyway, back to the numbers: does the avg. “14.4 students per instructor” statistic take into account special education and ELL classes which tend to be smaller? I mean, I have taught for the past ten years now in three different schools and I have yet to experience a 14 child class. I suggest anyone who is really interested read the fine print. Or better yet, go and visit some schools.
One of the more ironic moves by charter schools is that they say class size doesn’t matter, but they have extremely small class sizes.
How big are KIPP’S or Village Academies or Success Networks classes compared to the districts in which they are located?
If charter school supporters are going to talk the talk, then they need to walk the large class size walk.
The Union may be complaining, filing charges, going to court, lobbying etc. on class size, but this article makes it sound like they won and we have less than 27-35 students in a class. I work in a middle school and my wife works in an elementary school, her class is 28(2nd grade), my classes are on average 33, both in NYC. The City ignores class size, however, if the Union ever wins the argument and we have lower class size, say 25-in middle school and 20 in elementary for 5-years-with no real quantitative results…then I’ll buy your argument.
BUT for now there is NOTHING to argue about, class sizes in NYC are large, even when comparing charter schools.
“Research funded by a party such as a union or a corporation does not necessarily indicate the research is faulty, but the bias of the source should be understood”
which argument places Mr. Murphy’s comments and research under quesiton as well. …ya can’t have it both ways Murhp
hahahah–14 kids ? how about 37 per class in a middle school–thats the reality–the rest is nonsense!!
All very interesting responses, folks, and thank you for doing so.
My point on questioning the class size argument was to point to other data that in my view puts the class size issue in further perspective. Indeed, the ratio does factor in specialty teachers which obviously are not in a given classroom all the time, and even that figure of 14.4, as I pointed out, exceeds the rest of the state by more than two students, which suggests additional shares of state aid, or local support, are warranted.
If class sizes are indeed 30 or more students and pervasive, and you’re virtually by yourself teaching, that flies in the face of the Class Size Matters showing of 23 (or 26.6 for middle grades). But, class size and ratio, I thought I made clear, are not the same thing, as many classrooms have more than one instructor, which is why the rato figure is much lower.
Mr. Murphy
I am not sure if you are simply spitting out words with out understanding their meanings or implications. Differentiated instruction for a large class with varying levels soon becomes 34 individualized lesson plans which for a “quality educator” wearing roller skates and an Intravenous drip of Red Bull in their carotid artery is a simple task but for mere humans who might want to go home once or twice a week your class size argument might cause mental health issues. I do agree that under the right scenario of students and teachers class size is not a deterrent to learning but lets be clear no Charter School would risk their future on your theory and they definitely do not put a 30 or greater students to teacher ratio in their marketing brochure. NYC public schools have a long way to go but believe me as a NYC resident, dedicated Educator, and UFT member I refuse to go silently into the night and will speak truth to power any time lunacy rears its head as the newest study.
Mr. Murphy stop the madness CLASS SIZE MATTERS ASK A PARENT.
To kpsmove: I am not suggesting 30-plus students per class is warranted – not at all. And any parent would understandably want a few students as possible in the same class as their child. I am coming at this issue from a political standpoint as the UFT and CSM come at this not necessarily for purely educational reasons (okay, maybe “whining” was too strong – my apologies). All I’m suggesting is that there are other data points that should be considered in this discussion given the substantial numbers of employees that still work for the school system, especially compared to other states. Thanks for weighing in!
Coming at it from a “political” standpoint meaning some advocates use narrow data as a money grab while ignoring other issues, including redirecting existing funds to better serve students.