ABSTRACT. Class size reduction is a popular but expensive educational reform. However, it pays off in terms of academic achievement and is easily controllable by local officials. The pay-off is greatest for low-income and minority students, which are the very students most likely to not enjoy lower class sizes. Thus, it is a cost effective strategy that demonstrates dividends in school as well as in lowered social and educational costs in the future. Generally class sizes between 15 and 18 are recommended but can validly vary considerably by subject matter. A key factor is that teacher’s pedagogical methods change from a large-group lecture format to more personalized instruction as class size gets smaller. pp. 176–183
JEL codes: H52; I21

Keywords: class size; reform; cost-effectiveness; achievement gap

How to cite: Mathis, William J. (2017), “The Effectiveness of Class Size Reduction,” Psychosociological Issues in Human Resource Management 5(1): 176–183.

Received 19 July 2016 • Received in revised form 16 August 2016
Accepted 16 August 2016 • Available online 30 August 2016

doi:10.22381/PIHRM5120176