Issue Position: Reduce Classroom Size

Issue Position

Research has shown that reducing class size, particularly for younger children, has a positive effect on student achievement overall and an especially significant impact on the education of disadvantaged children. Large gains in both math and reading stem from more effective teaching and more focused learning. Smaller class sizes allow for more teacher-student interaction and present to teachers the opportunity to recognize the needs of individual students and customize instruction and assignments. Students in smaller classes create fewer discipline problems and engage in more pro-social behavior, allowing teachers to devote more time to instruction and less to controlling the class. Smaller classrooms are more pleasant and have fewer distractions.

*Ideally, every Virginia classroom should range in size from 15 to 19 students.

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