In October 2012, School Improvement Network surveyed educators nationwide about the impact of class size on educator effectiveness and student achievement. 5,115 educators responded, and 65% said their class sizes have grown over the last three years. Educators also shared their opinions on the ideal class size, and how class sizes impact students and their teachers. Read more about this survey here: http://www.schoolimprovement.com/voices-of-education/class-size-and-student-achievement-results/

1. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETW ORK
October 2012
CLASS SIZE SURVEY

2. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
Methodology
•
Survey sent to educators in October 2012
•
5,115 educators responded
–
75% teachers
–
12% administrators
•
Responders include educators from:
–
Rural, urban, and suburban schools
–
Elementary, middle, and high schools
–
1-21+ years of experience in education
October 2012

3. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
Demographics
Professional Position
Administrator
Teacher
Other
12%
75%
13%
School Type
School Environment
Urban
Rural
Suburban
40%
28%
31%
Years of Experience
1st Year
2 to 5 Years
6 to 10 Years
11 to 15 Years
16 to 20 Years
21+ Years
1%
12%
19%
18%
18%
33%
Elementary (K-7)
Secondary (8-12)
60%
40%

4. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
Key Findings
•
Survey responders say their average class size is 23 students, though class size
averages differ between school types and settings.
•
Most educators believe the ideal class size consists of 15-20 students.
•
62% of educators strongly agree that class size has a direct impact on student
achievement.
•
In surveyed states, 65% of class sizes have increased over the last three years.
•
Educators say the biggest impact of an increased class size is losing one-on-one
teacher and student interaction.

5. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETW ORK
SURVEY RESULTS

6. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
According to surveyed educators, the average class
size across the nation is 23 students, though averages
differed among school types and school locations.
“What is your current average class size?”
26
25.2
25
24
23
24
23.4
22.3
22
21.4
21
20
19
School Type
School Setting
24.3

7. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
Most educators believe the ideal class size consists of
15-20 students.
“What is the ideal class size?”
49%
50%
5 to 10
10 to 15
15 to 20
20 to 25
25 to 30
30 to 35
35+
22%
19%
6%
0%
3%
0%
5 to 10 10 to 1515 to 2020 to 2525 to 3030 to 35
0%
35+
Elementary Secondary
7%
6%
22%
16%
55%
42%
14%
31%
1%
5%
0%
0%
0%
1%
Rural
7%
22%
53%
17%
1%
0%
0%
Suburban
5%
14%
48%
29%
4%
0%
1%
Urban
6%
20%
48%
22%
4%
0%
0%

8. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
62% of educators strongly agree that class size has a
direct impact on student achievement.
“Class size has a direct impact on student
achievement.”
70%
62%
18%
4%
0%
12%
1%
2%
1%
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
1st Year
81%
3%
16%
2 to 5
90%
0%
10%
6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 20 21+ Years
87%
83%
84%
82%
0%
1%
1%
1%
12%
16%
15%
17%
*By how many years of experience

9. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
Across the nation, 65% of class sizes have increased
over the last three years.
“Have your class sizes changed in
the last three years?”
100%
65%
Elementary Secondary
(K-7)
(8-12)
Rural Suburban Urban
Yes, they have increased
62%
67%
61%
66%
68%
No, they have stayed the same
26%
21%
26%
25%
22%
Yes, they have decreased
11%
12%
12%
10%
11%
24%
11%
0%
Yes, they have No, they have Yes, they have
increased
stayed the
decreased
same

10. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
Majority of educators say their class sizes have
increased by about 20%.
“If class size increased, by how much?”
39%
40%
26%
19%
6%
5%
1%
1%
1%
0%
1%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
October 2012

11. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012
Educators say the biggest impact of an increased
class size is losing personal attention from the teacher
to each student.
“What has been the biggest impact of changing class sizes in your classrooms?”
35%
32%
15%
14%
11%
11%
5%
0%
4%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%

12. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT NETWORK
October 2012