There is an educational revolution happening by jump-starting learning for our youngest students. However, getting the numbers down is merely a means to an end. Our low reading achievement scores provided a critical wake up call about the effects in literacy of our state's overcrowded classrooms. Any number of studies documented how our students were falling behind their counterparts in the rest of the nation. I have witnessed the improvements first-hand while working with schools throughout California over the past year.
Successful implementation requires a comprehensive approach to planning.
As we experience the challenges and changes brought about by class size reduction, it is important to focus on the goal. This policy calls for innovative professional development opportunities to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to make the most of the smaller numbers. Clearly, teachers are able to provide greater individual attention and spend more time teaching, which has the potential of increasing academic achievement. However, there is concern about a backlash if test scores don't immediately rise. The critical question is not whether class size can make a difference, but how and under what circumstances it does.