Class Size and Student Achievement

Abstract

The change from elite to mass higher education has arguably heightened pressure on HE in many countries. Therefore the relevance of class size with regard to student achievement and quality assurance has become such a topical issue. Thus, this study employs a quantitative method by way of a parametric paired t test to investigate the effect of splitting a large class into smaller groups in two successive semesters at an anonymous university. The identity of the university has not been revealed as per prior arrangement with the administration. The data on the students’ performance in the two semesters is analysed and it is established that there is a positive relationship between class size and student achievement, even though it does not establish specifically how small is best. The paper begins with an introduction, discusses the methodology, then delves into the data and finally ends with some discussion and conclusion.