The Virtual Library:
Class Size Reduction

Click to return to: VIRTUAL LIBRARY TABLE OF CONTENTS

The First RAND Study 1998: The first look at the real effect of class-size reduction was done by a group at RAND, the respected research center. Their CSR Research Consortium found both good news and troubling signals. The good news was evidence of a myriad of benefits. The troubling signals: the program made the teacher shortage far worse, and caused low-wealth school districts to rely far more on less experienced teachers.

The Second RAND Study 2000: This was issued in June 2000 by the CSR Research Consortium which did the prior study. The results show nearly every elementary school implementing reduced class sizes in grades K-3. But it also shows continuing problems in emergency credentialed teachers going in greater numbers to low-wealth districts.