Families are small, intimate, persisting groups of adults and children. It is in their nuclear families that children learn the attitudes and values that will make them good or poor students. Other studies have demonstrated that another powerful learning influence is the student peer group, a small, intimate, persisting band of children or adolescents. Finally, a variety of analyses of the research and the lilterature have emphasized that stability, persistence, and intimacy are the characteristics of influential groups. Presumably, one reason that schools generally have less influence than families and peer groups is the low level of intimacy and persistence that often prevails in school groups.
Similar principles apply in education.
Students should work hard at learning, respect their teachers, and help and encourage one another. Teachers should know their students well and shape class values to form pro-learning environments. In light of what is now known about groups in schools, we recommend that American schools adopt certain operating principles. The size of the groups is not as important as their continuity. Youngsters would gain additional weeks of learning.