Class Size Research Articles

Letting go of what doesn’t work in education: A conversation with Rick Ginsberg and Yong Zhao

Rick Ginsberg and Yong Zhao want educators to question the status quo and clear out ineffective practices to make room for K-12 reforms that work. Their 2023 book, Duck and Cover: Confronting Dubious Practices in Education, Ginsberg and Zhao examine kindergarten readiness, college- and career-readiness, reading proficiency by 3rd grade, social and emotional learning, education technology, class size, dress codes, state standardized testing, meta-analysis, and more.

Attitude of Government School Teachers Towards Including Children with Disabilities in Mainstream Education: A Case Study of Larkana

This study aims to examine attitude of government school teachers towards integration of Children with Disabilities (CWD) in mainstream education. Their perception of the phenomenon, challenges and possible solutions in their views were covered. Qualitative method, particularly case study design, was used for data collection, and its interpretive approach was utilized in order to gain detailed data from the participants. In the case study, a school in Larkana was selected. Utilizing purposive sampling and criterion-based selection, ten teachers from the school were chosen as respondents to obtain data. Out of ten respondents, eight teachers eventually became part of the study, and the data was collected from them. The data collection tools were semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The obtained data was subjected to content analysis during which different themes emerged: the establishment of an inclusive school, the role of teachers in mainstream schools to implement inclusive education in schools, and the role of the Education and Literacy Department in establishing inclusive schools. In case the mainstream school is converted into an inclusive school, the respondents were aware of the challenges that they might face and the role that they will have to play concerning differentiation, individualized type of support, and collaboration. Findings revealed that the respondents considered the school unfit for turning into an inclusive school due to missing men and material resources, overcrowded classrooms that will make it difficult to teach children with disabilities, and lack of support from local educational authorities. They recommended contextually responsive support for teachers along with their specialized training, keeping into account the real classroom environment, to successfully convert a mainstream school into an inclusive school. Reducing teacher student ratio and recruitment of teaching assistants were also recommended.

Effect of Parent’s International Migration on the Educational Performances of Left-Behind Children in Morocco

This paper focuses on examining the effects of parent’s international migration on the educational outcomes of left-behind children. This, however, is with special emphasis on how family environment and school characteristics affects the educational achievements of left-behind children. A sample was selected from the survey conducted in Fkih Ben Salah, a small town in Morocco, within the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. This survey, administered in 2020, included 407 children from 16 primary schools. The results of the propensity score matching method showed that the international migration of parents had a significant effect on the school performance of their left-behind children. Furthermore, the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis showed that 36.34% of the differences in the children’s school performance during the first semester of the year 2020 can be explained by factors such as student–teacher ratio, class size, and socio-economic index of class, accounting for 12.82%, 38.47%, and 31.35%, respectively. The empirical findings also revealed that left-behind children are at risk of social exclusion, especially in public schools. Targeted interventions should be adopted to improve the educational outcomes of left-behind children. In addition, these interventions should assist immigrant parents in facilitating their children’s first journey and enhancing the student-teacher ratio.

Graduate instructors navigating the AI frontier: The role of ChatGPT in higher education

This research study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in undergraduate assessments, specifically focusing on the ability of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) to identify AI-generated assessments and the performance of ChatGPT, an AI model, in producing high-quality work. The study examines four guiding research questions and hypotheses related to the accuracy of GTA identification, the achievement of AI-generated work compared to student marks, the impact of GTA characteristics on identification accuracy, and the variation in identification and assessment across different subject areas. The study incorporates ten AI-generated assessments across seven classes taught by five GTAs. The findings reveal that ChatGPT consistently excelled the average student in all classes receiving 10 scores of A or higher out of 11 and receiving the top mark in 8 of the ten classes. GTAs accurately identified 50 % of the AI-generated assessments, with results suggesting a potential connection between class size and GTA accuracy in identifying AI-generated work. GTAs with prior experience and familiarity with ChatGPT demonstrated higher accuracy in identifying AI-generated assessments. However, further research is needed to explore this comprehensively. This study also reviews the effectiveness of TurnItin's new AI detector, highlighting an accuracy of 92 % across the ten assessments. The study highlights the adaptability of ChatGPT across different subject areas and assessment types, producing assessments that align with diverse educational contexts.In conclusion, this research study contributes to understanding the effectiveness and adaptability of AI in undergraduate assessments. It underscores the need to further explore and develop AI technologies in education.

A note on a theorem on conjugacy class sizes

A note on a theorem on conjugacy class sizes

The effect of school size and class size on school preparedness.

The purpose of the present study was to understand students' school readiness as a function of student and teacher behaviors but also school size and class size using both linear and non-linear analytical approaches. Data came from 21,903 schools distributed across 80 countries as per the 2018 cohort of the PISA database. Results pointed to a preference for the Cusp model in that the relationship between school and class sizes with achievement proved to be best described by the non-linearity of the Cusp catastrophe model. The critical benchmarks were a school size of 801 students and a class size of 27 students for which increases beyond those thresholds were linked to nonlinearity and unpredictability in school readiness. For this reason, we suggest using the cusp catastrophe model from Nonlinear Dynamical Systems Theory (NDST) to understand more fully such complex phenomena.

Using learning analytics to alleviate course and student support administrative load for large classes: a case study

PurposeLarge class sizes are becoming the norm in higher education against concerns of dropping learning qualities. To maintain the standard of learning and add value, one of the common strategies is for the course convenor to proactively monitor student engagement with learning activities against their assessment outcomes and intervene timely. Learning analytics has been increasingly adopted to provide these insights into student engagement and their performance. This case study explores how learning analytics can be used to meet the convenor’s requirements and help reduce administrative workload in a large health science class at the University of New South Wales.Design/methodology/approachThis case-based study adopts an “action learning research approach” in assessing ways of using learning analytics for reducing workload in the educator’s own context and critically reflecting on experiences for improvements. This approach emphasises reflexive methodology, where the educator constantly assesses the context, implements an intervention and reflects on the process for in-time adjustments, improvements and future development.FindingsThe results highlighted ease for the teacher towards the early “flagging” of students who may not be active within the learning management system or who have performed poorly on assessment tasks. Coupled with the ability to send emails to the “flagged” students, this has led to a more personal approach while reducing the number of steps normally required. An unanticipated outcome was the potential for additional time saving through improving the scaffolding mechanisms if the learning analytics were customisable for individual courses.Originality/valueThe results provide further benefits for learning analytics to assist the educator in a growing blended learning environment. They also reveal the potential for learning analytics to be an effective adjunct towards promoting personal learning design.

Influence of Learners’ Environments on Learners’ Literacy Outcomes of Early Years of Education

Learners’ supportive environments have a significant effect on what goes on in the classroom. Supportive learning environments have the greatest impact on learners’ literacy outcomes. Factors such as language policy and interactions in the classroom have a big influence on the learners’ literacy outcomes. The present study investigated a group of grade three learners’ literacy outcomes in lower primary schools in Bungoma central sub-county in relation to the factors that influenced the learning environments of the classroom. The descriptive survey design was used to sample participants in the study. A sample size of 91 participants was involved, consisting of 48 grade three learners, 24 grade three teachers, 12 head teachers, 6 parents, and a sub-county education officer. Simple random sampling was used to sample out grade three teachers, parents, head teachers, and a sub-county education officer. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Unstructured questionnaires were used to investigate the physical design of the classroom and their influence on literacy outcomes among learners in early years of learning in Bungoma Central Sub-County. Findings of the study indicate a negative correlation between learners’ literacy outcome and the physical design of the classroom (class size) (r = 261, p<0.5). Based on this finding, it is recommended that grade three teachers individualize teaching based on assessment results, embrace whole-class curriculum materials, and recognize individual differences. Policies must be established to guarantee that classrooms are conducive to learning and motivate learners to strive for higher academic accomplishment.

Voice Disorders Among Teachers in Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background Voice disorders (VD) pose significant challenges for teachers as they impact their professional and personal lives. Teaching requires extensive use of the voice, making teachers particularly susceptible to vocal health issues.VD can hinder the quality of education. Objectives This study aimed to comprehensively explore the prevalence, associated factors, and impact of VD among teachers and their health-seeking behavior regarding VD. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between November and December 2023. The data were collected through a questionnaire covering demographic variables, occupational factors, voice-related symptoms, associated health conditions, and the impact of VD. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 26 (IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), and chi-squared tests were used to assess associations. Results The study involved 568 teachers, 61.8% of whom had VD. The study identified significant associations between VD and demographic characteristics, habits, and teaching-related variables. Age, gender, teaching subject, class size, and weekly teaching load were associated with the prevalence of VD. Hoarseness, throat pain, and throat dryness were prevalent symptoms among teachers with VD. The impact of VD on teachers was evident, with a considerable proportion reporting work absenteeism (28.7%) and even contemplating retirement due to voice problems (6.3%). Conclusion This study offers a nuanced understanding of VD among teachers in the Taif region, emphasizing the complex interplay of demographic, symptomatic, and behavioral factors. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns, preventive strategies, and streamlined healthcare access, to address the unique challenges that different subgroups of teachers face. Future research should further explore longitudinal trajectories and objective measures to enhance our understanding of VD in educational settings.

School Choice: Data From Charter Schools of Color in Minnesota

There are 180 charter schools operating in Minnesota, and 40.5% of these schools enroll more than 63% of students of color. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree to which charter schools serving communities of color in this Midwestern state are committed to providing parents with the necessary academic metrics like graduation rates, test scores, student-teacher ratios, and teacher profiles. Using a systematic review, data were collected on 73 charter schools serving students of color. Very few of these charter schools report graduation rates and student-teacher ratios, while none of them report test scores and teacher profiles on the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) webpage, the Data Center. Parents have insufficient information to make rational choices.

PERANAN BANTUAN OPERASIONAL PENYELENGGARAAN PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI TERHADAP AKSES LAYANAN PENDIDIKAN ANAK USIA DINI DI INDONESIA

There is limited knowledge and information for parents in the process of early childhood growth and development, so the right step for parents is to enrol their children in Early Childhood Education (PAUD) institutions. Government intervention is needed to expand access to PAUD services in Indonesia, one of which is by providing BOP PAUD to PAUD providers. This research uses panel data to analyze the relationship between Operational Assistance for Providing Early Childhood Education (BOP PAUD) and the Gross Participation Rate (APK) for PAUD in Indonesia. Selecting the best panel data model from three types of panel data regression models (Ordinary Least Square ( Pooled Least Square), Fixed Effect Model, and Random Effect Model) can be carried out using the Chow Test, Hausman Test, and Lagrange Multiple Test. Classical assumption tests and model feasibility tests were also carried out using the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) estimation technique. PAUD BOP per student was tested with several control variables and the results found that PAUD BOP per student did not have a significant relationship with PAUD APK. Meanwhile, school variables, student-teacher ratio and urban households with their own home status have a significant relationship to PAUD APK.

Analysis of EFL Learners' Writing Challenges in the Digital Era

The Writing Intensive Course emphasizes fundamental English writing elements, providing a prime chance for students to improve written communication. Educators face challenges in enhancing expressiveness, but the large millennial class size, familiar with digital technology, presents a potential advantage. Millennials, as digital natives, show enthusiasm for digital-context learning, offering an opportunity for effective instruction in writing. The primary objective of this research is to find out the problems or challenges students undergo while learning to write English in the digital era. This quantitative research examined 174 EFL students to give particular responses that work with brief reviews of their challenges in English writing. Unable to express (10.9%), improve skills (9.8%), and develop ideas (5.2%) in writing stand strong as the biggest three difficulties in English writing. The diverse challenges, collected from participant samples, reveal consistent issues for both active and nonactive students. The study emphasizes the value of digital-assisted courses, offering hope for enhanced English writing and communication skills among SL/FL learners in a more accessible and effective manner. In brief, this study highlights internal factors as the primary challenges in writing class, with students struggling with self-expression, doubts about improvement, and generating ideas. Various challenges, including optimizing roles and feedback, underscore the importance of addressing obstacles for enhanced writing proficiency in digital-assisted courses

Language Instructors’ and Students’ Perspective on Large Class Size and What is the Best Technique Language Instructors Utilize to Prompt Learning Autonomy in Class

In this research, the author identifies the terms of large class size and learning autonomy. The authors exhibit the difference between both terms and explains clearly the idea of both terms. Moreover, the author shows how large class size is related to learning autonomy. The author will then elaborate on how these two terms complete each other. The Author chooses the story of an English teacher who teaches in Nigeria, who is exposed to a large class size confronting different conflicts during this year of teaching. In addition, the author shows how the English teacher overcame these problems and what solutions were chosen that helped to overcome the issue. The Author also exhibits the class size problems and the autonomy in different contexts of other teachers around the world and how they coped with it. He utilized other research papers to show how each teacher dealt with the problem of class size.As a matter of fact, the author shows how a large class size can affect the teaching in class and what solutions are made in order to overcome the large class size complexities. Furthermore, the research also shows the disadvantages of a large class size according to students’ points of view. It also clarifies how students are affected by large class size and how difficult could learning become in class.

Group work enhances student performance in biology: A meta-analysis

Abstract We conducted a meta-analysis to test the impacts of one active learning teaching strategy, group work, on student performance by calculating estimates across 91 studies from 53 articles. Our overall estimate indicates that the implementation of group work in biology classrooms increased student performance by 1.00 standard deviation, which we contextualized as a change greater than one letter grade. Moderator analyses revealed that this increase in performance held across all group sizes, class sizes, biology and life science majors and nonmajors, and whether the groups were assigned by the instructor. However, we did not observe increased performance in graduate level courses, in cases where group work was incorporated for only part of the course term (e.g., less than a semester or quarter) or when the group work was not graded. These results demonstrate that group work leads to impressive boosts in student performance and underscores the value of studying specific active learning strategies.

Exploring Classroom Environment as a Predominant Factor Affecting Students' Academic Performance in Lagos State Junior Secondary Schools, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the classroom environment as a predominant factor affecting students' academic performance in Lagos State junior secondary schools, Nigeria. A sample size of 250 students was drawn using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The instruments used for data collection were a questionnaire titled “Classroom Environment Questionnaire and tagged (CEQ),” whose reliability coefficient was found to be 0.85, and an achievement test to measure the students’ academic performance. Findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between class size and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.829), a significant relationship exists between instructional material usage and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.745), a significant relationship exists between school climate and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.775), and a significant relationship exists between classroom organization and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools in Lagos State (r =.925). It was recommended that to ensure efficient service delivery, or the teaching-learning process, the government, through the Education Districts, pledge to supply junior secondary schools with economically improved and pertinent instructional resources, as this would enhance students’ academic performance in schools.

Exploring Classroom Environment as a Predominant Factor Affecting Students' Academic Performance in Lagos State Junior Secondary Schools, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the classroom environment as a predominant factor affecting students' academic performance in Lagos State junior secondary schools, Nigeria. A sample size of 250 students was drawn using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The instruments used for data collection were a questionnaire titled “Classroom Environment Questionnaire and tagged (CEQ),” whose reliability coefficient was found to be 0.85, and an achievement test to measure the students’ academic performance. Findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between class size and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.829), a significant relationship exists between instructional material usage and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.745), a significant relationship exists between school climate and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools (r =.775), and a significant relationship exists between classroom organization and students' academic performance in public junior secondary schools in Lagos State (r =.925). It was recommended that to ensure efficient service delivery, or the teaching-learning process, the government, through the Education Districts, pledge to supply junior secondary schools with economically improved and pertinent instructional resources, as this would enhance students’ academic performance in schools.

Investigating the employment motivation, job satisfaction, and dissatisfaction of international high school teachers in China: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

International education has become increasingly challenging to manage in an unpredictable world beset by pandemics, regional disputes, and evolving market practices. The last few decades have seen a huge demand for international education in China, and numerous acclaimed international brand names set up operations in China's K12 schooling sector. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exerted a noticeably negative impact on international high schools and their staff in China, and exacerbated a difficult period of management for these institutions. Interestingly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, the actual operation of these educational workplaces remains under investigated in academic studies. This paper therefore attempts to examine international high schools in China by focusing on their teachers and their associated employment motivation, job satisfaction, and dissatisfaction which has been perceptibly influenced by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a qualitative, case-study approach which adopted semi-structured interviews, an acclaimed British high school, now closed, was investigated. The study found that international high school teachers were driven by diverse work motives such as the school's reputation, values, salary, environment, and chances for career development. Their job satisfaction was also multi-faceted, and their dissatisfaction in certain areas concerning. That is, they derived an early satisfaction from a range of facets, such as the students, class sizes, initial workloads, autonomy and collegiality. However, these early feelings were replaced by a sense of dissatisfaction and noticeable unhappiness resulting from leadership changes and subsequent management practices, increased workload, unmet employment package expectations and obligations, as well as limited professional development opportunities. This study highlights the importance of recruiting well, generating the right starting and longer-term conditions, retaining key staff and managing astutely. The work will be of interest to policy makers, investors, leaders, managers and staff alike. It will also extend educational research in the areas of teacher motivation, satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and in particular in China in international K12 settings.

Competence-based language curricula: implementation challenges in Africa

Abstract Drawing on a case study design, this article examines the real-life adaptive challenges secondary school teachers of English in Uganda face while implementing the 2020 English language competence-based curriculum innovation. Findings indicate that scarcity of instructional materials, time constraints and large class sizes, limited planning and stakeholders’ support, dissonance between local culture and learning styles significantly underlie complications ESL teachers face adapting and implementing competence-based curricula innovations in English language classrooms in low-income contexts in the global south. The experiences of teachers in Uganda resonate across most global south ESL educational contexts. They illustrate the universality of challenges teachers face and are likely to face when implementing competence-based curricula in sub-Saharan Africa and the wider global south where the teaching and learning of English is premised on facilitating acquisition of English language for meaningful interaction.

Profiles of Death Penalty Attitudes: A Latent Class Approach

ABSTRACT Objectives This study examines the heterogeneity in the demographic, normative, and experiential features of those who support, oppose, and are undecided on capital punishment to determine the complexity of characteristics that exist beyond the “averages.” This study also evaluates macro-level changes in death penalty supporter, opposer, and undecided sub-types in the U.S. over time. Methods Drawing upon national trend data from the General Social Survey (1972–2016), a series of Latent Class Analyses (LCA) are employed to identify the number, size, and compositional profile of emergent subtypes of supporters, opposers, and undecideds on the death penalty. We also examine variation in the size and relative distribution of these latent classes over five decades. Results Substantial heterogeneity among death penalty supporters and opposers was found, yielding nine and seven distinct sub-types of each, respectively. Two unique sub-types of undecideds were also uncovered. Conclusion Variation in the composition and size of these latent classes over time provides important insights into the variation in death penalty support over the past 50 years. This is the first study of which we are aware to employ an LCA to national trend data of public opinion toward the death penalty across multiple decades in the United States.

Experimental Evidence on Four Policies to Increase Learning at Scale

Abstract We partnered with the Ghanaian government to simultaneously test four methods of increasing achievement—assistant-led remedial pull-out lessons, remedial after-school lessons, smaller class sizes and teacher-implemented partial day tracking—in schools with low and heterogeneous student achievement. The interventions increased student learning by about 0.1 standard deviations, rising to 0.4 standard deviations when adjusting for imperfect implementation, with no effects on attendance, grade repetition or drop-out. Test score increases were larger for girls. Test score gains persisted after the program ended. Assistants implemented the program with higher fidelity than teachers, although their fidelity decreased over time while teacher fidelity marginally improved.