Class size reduction program

Schools most often used federal CSR funds to reduce class size in grades Based upon our case studies, grade one was targeted to advance early literacy goals, whereas grade 3 was targeted to prepare students for state-mandated grade 4 assessments.

Because the school survey is limited to schools that had hired at least one teacher with federal CSR funds, average class size was computed only in those grades in which teachers were placed. The average class size then will be smaller than a nation-wide average across all grades and schools. Achilles, C. Education's equivalent of medicine's Framingham heart study. Bohrnstedt, G. What we have learned about class size reduction in California.

Ehrenberg, R. Class size and student achievement. Psychological Science in the Public Interest 2: Finn, J. Class size and students at risk: What is known? What is next? Washington, DC: U. Hanushek, E. Some findings from an independent investigation of the Tennessee STAR experiment and from other investigations of class size effects. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 21 : Jepsen, C.

What is the tradeoff between smaller classes and teacher quality? Unpublished manuscript, Public Policy Institute of California. Molnar, A. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 21 2 : l Nye, B.

The lasting benefits study, eighth grade technical report. People and organizations associated with either the creation of this report or its content. Serving as both a federal and a state depository library, the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department maintains millions of items in a variety of formats. Descriptive information to help identify this report. Follow the links below to find similar items on the Digital Library. Unique identifying numbers for this report in the Digital Library or other systems.

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Dates and time periods associated with this report. Description This report provides an overview of the structure and status of the CSR program, the issues raised about the program, early reports on its implementation, and relevant legislative action by the th Congress.

Studies show that students, especially younger minority and disadvantaged children, perform better when they are in classes with 19 or fewer students. Class size reduction is often embraced by elected officials because it is a popular subject with teachers and parents.

There are also studies demonstrating that class size reduction is either not beneficial or not cost-effective compared to other school reforms. This article discusses the education policy of the federal government concerning class size reduction. The use of funds under the CSR program was restricted to activities that would lead directly to hiring and training qualified teachers. Local school districts were permitted to use funds under the CSR program for 1 recruiting, training, and hiring fully qualified teachers; 2 testing the academic content knowledge of newly-hired teachers and meeting state requirements for certification, and 3 providing professional development opportunities.

The districts had to devote at least 72 percent of the funds to recruiting, training, and hiring teachers. They were authorized to spend up to 25 percent on testing and professional development activities and up to three percent on administration.

If a school district succeeded in reducing class sizes in grades kindergarten through three to 18 or fewer students, they could use the funds to decrease further the class sizes in these or other grades or to improve teacher quality.

The CSR program required accountability from states and local school districts receiving funds under the program. Contains 33 tables and 25 footnotes.

US Department of Education. Available from: ED Pubs.