In a smaller class, a teacher can spend more time teaching basic skills. Teachers can cover more ground in each lesson and provide daily feedback to students. In smaller classes, it's easier for teachers to pinpoint students who require remedial help. Fewer children are referred for special education. And graduation rates increase.
Teachers say that students in smaller classes pay better attention and ask more questions too.
Fewer students in a classroom usually results in fewer discipline problems, teachers report. Behavior improves when more classroom time is spent in on-task instruction. Teachers who spend less time dealing with discipline problems have more time to spend in direct instruction. And the cycle continues . In addition, kids have more space in a classroom that has fewer students.