Making Public Education Better: Cutting Class Sizes — Why Fewer Students Means Better Learning

Every teacher knows the difference between teaching twenty students and teaching thirty. It’s not just a few extra papers to grade—it’s less time for every child, more behavior issues, and a more challenging road to meaningful learning.

If we want to improve public education, one of the simplest, most effective solutions is this: reduce class sizes.

The Case for Smaller Classes

Research spanning decades shows what teachers have always known—students in smaller classes perform better, stay more engaged, and develop stronger relationships with their teachers.

The Tennessee STAR study, one of the largest and most influential education experiments ever conducted, found that students in smaller K–3 classes scored significantly higher on reading and math assessments. The benefits were even greater for students from disadvantaged backgrounds—and the effects lasted for years.

Smaller classes don’t just help students—they help teachers, too. With fewer students, teachers can:

• Give more individual feedback.

• Build deeper relationships.

• Manage classrooms more effectively.

• Focus on instruction rather than crowd control.

When class sizes drop, learning rises.

The Hidden Costs of Overcrowded Classrooms

Many schools today face rising enrollment and stagnant funding. Teachers often manage 25, 30, or even 35 students at a time. The strain shows up everywhere:

• Reduced attention: Students slip through the cracks unnoticed.

• Higher stress: Teachers spend more time managing and less time mentoring.

• Widening gaps: Struggling learners receive less targeted support.

• Higher turnover: Burnout from oversized classes drives good teachers out.

Overcrowding undermines both equity and excellence. When every child matters, class sizes can’t be an afterthought—they must be a priority.

Why Smaller Classes Pay Off

Reducing class sizes isn’t cheap—but it’s one of the best investments schools can make. Smaller classes improve:

• Student achievement: Especially in early grades, where foundational skills are built.

• Classroom behavior: Students receive more attention and structure.

• Teacher retention: Manageable workloads increase job satisfaction and longevity.

• Long-term outcomes: Students from smaller classes are more likely to graduate and pursue higher education.

In short, smaller classes save money in the long run by reducing remediation, dropouts, and teacher turnover.

How This Connects

• Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Education isn’t mass production—it’s personal growth.

• Invest in People, Not Programs: Hiring more teachers and aides has a greater impact than more testing or software.

• Prioritize Early Grades: Smaller classes in K–3 lay the foundation for literacy, confidence, and lifelong learning.

• Equity Through Access: Class size reduction must benefit all schools—not just those in wealthy districts.

  
  

What Should Be Done

1. Set Statewide Class Size Goals

   • Establish realistic maximums by grade level to guide staffing and facility planning.

2. Invest in Teacher Recruitment and Retention

   • Attract more educators through competitive pay and reduced workload.

3. Fund More Support Staff

   • Hire aides, interventionists, and specialists to share instructional responsibilities.

4. Design Flexible Spaces

   • Build classrooms that allow small-group learning and collaboration.

5. Use Federal and State Grants Strategically

   • Direct funds toward sustainable class size reduction rather than temporary fixes.

     
     

Closing: Every Student Deserves to Be Seen

Behind every number on a roster is a child who deserves attention, connection, and care. Smaller classes make that possible.

If we want to make public education better, we must create classrooms where teachers can know every student’s story—and where students feel seen, supported, and capable of success.

Fewer students. More learning. Stronger schools.