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Class Size And Teacher’s Effectiveness In Secondary Schools
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
For many
years, educators, politicians and people in general have debated on the
number of students a teacher can work effectively to ensure students
adequate learning. Although most people would agree that having a few
student to teacher ratio would benefit the student academically, mainly
will also argue that it does not guarantee success and would cost school
a great deal or more money. Prior to reviewing the research, a
clarification, of terms associated with the research, a clarification of
terms associated with the research context is necessary. Students
achievement applies to making sure all students have the necessary
skills and knowledge to function in school so that they may also succeed
as adult (National Education Association, 2002). But others see a much
broader, richer, picture and the state standards as something to be met
on the way to the broader picture. Three areas that fit into the broader
picture are academics, essential life skills and responsibility to the
community. Definitions vary across the research spectrum, but for the
purpose of this paper, small class size will be defined as classes with
approximately 15 students, while large or regular class will be defined
as classrooms with approximately 24 or more students (Harris and Plank,
2000)., the term average class size is a calculation of the total number
of students in a grade level divided by the number of classroom
sections in that school or school district.
The relationship
between class size and academic performance has been a perplexing one
for educators. Studies have found that the physical environment, class
overcrowding and teaching methods are all variables that affect students
achievement (Molnal, et al 2000). Other factors that affect students
achievement are school population and class size (Gentry, 2000, and
Swift, 2000). The issue of poor academic performance of students in
Nigeria has been of much concern to all and sundry. The problems is so
much that it has led to the decline in standard of education. Since the
academic success of students depends largely on the school environment,
it is imperative to examine the impact variables of class size and
school population on the academic performance of students in secondary
school. Large class size quality of teaching and instruction delivery.
Overcrowded classrooms have increased the possibilities for mass failure
and make students to lose interest in school. This is because large
class size do not allow individual students to get attention from
teachers which invariable lead to low reading scores, frustration and
poor academic performance. In order to better understand the skill
levels of students, it might be necessary to evaluate factors affecting
their performance. These factors can include; school structure and
organization, teachers quality, curriculum and teaching philosophies
(Driscoill, Halcoussis and Sony, 2003). The idea that school population
and class size might affect students performance is consistent with the
growing literature on the relationship between public sector
institutional arrangement and outcomes (Moe, 2003). The purpose of this
study is to further examine the relationship of class size, school
population and students academic achievement.
The student achievement
guarantee in education defines class size reduction as “reduce to class
15†class size reduction can be defined as reducing the number of
students in a classroom. Classroom averages, as defined above, can be
reduced by introducing more teachers. If a school has 120 students in
first grade with five class room teachers, the average class size will
be 24 students per class. That number will be reduced if another teacher
is utilized in that grade level. 120 students divided by six classroom
teachers will result in average class size of 20 students per class.
Minorities are defined as students who are indicated as an ethnics
status of Afro-American, Asian American, Native American or Hispanic
American and is citizen of the United States has permanent immigrant or
refugee status (University of Wisdom, Modison, 2009). The term minority
is a relative term at this point in time. Minorities were often
considered so because a majority of the population in the United State
was Caucasians. However, there are many cities even states, where
Caucasians are not the majority.
The premise that reducing class size
can lead to improved teaching and learning is one that most teachers
and parents would readily endorse (Kennedy, 2003). Given a choice
between a classroom with 20 students one with 30 studnets, who would
want to argue that the larger class would be a better learning
environment for each students in that class. The major problems schools
are running into is that then funding for these small class sizes is not
available, that the funding for these small class sizes is not
available., or is decreasing. Many states and school districts dealing
increasingly with shortfalls in revenue are smaller classes.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study was carried out to examine class size and teacher’s effectiveness in secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti. Specifically, the study assess the relationship between large class size and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. The study also find out if large class size distract the teacher from been effective. The study further identify if class size enables the teacher to know the strength and weakness of each student. Lastly, the study evaluate if class size helps a teacher ... Continue reading---
