Class Size and School Size: Taking the Trade-Offs Seriously

Small classes and small schools appear to have educational benefits for students. In small classes, children experience fewer disrup tions and receive more personal attention and individualized instruction. Likewise, in small schools, students appear to feel safer and less likely to get "lost in the crowd" and teachers are able to provide a more coherent curricu lum. There is a large research literature, including many of the papers in this volume, suggesting that these qualities of the learning environment translate