The program was put in place without any extra outside funding. At a recent school board meeting the extra funding for the third year of the plan was approved. Since the district does not use standardized tests in K-1 grades, objective assessment data is not yet available to determine the relationship between the reduction of class size and academic achievement. The lack of objective student achievement data is more than made up for by the wealth of observations offered from teachers, parents, administrators and current education research. There is more student time on task.
Small classes are quieter.
Students participate more actively in their own learning. Teachers use a greater variety of instructional approaches. Instruction is more individualized. There is more classroom space for learning centers. Students develop better relationships with their classmates and their teacher.