Learning Given the relatively low per pupil funding and generally large classes in our schools, class size is an important topic for California parents. For special education parents its even more important, as many students end up in special education because they have trouble learning in over-crowded classrooms. In this way, special education has become an expensive and inappropriate treatment for problems in regular education.
Large classes can also be a barrier to full inclusion.
Amazingly, little research exists on the topic of class size and learning. The few studies that have been done tended to support large class size. The study, called Project STAR, tracked students from Kindergarten through the third grade. It was large enough to control for many factors, including ability and other demographics. Students in two different class sizes were followed for four years.