Class sizes in early grades now largest in 14 years

UPDATE: Please check out your school's class size data here and let me know at leonie at classsizematters.org if it is inaccurate; for many reasons, we do NOT believe the data is reliable, especially in HS.  

Class sizes in grades K-3 and grades 4-8 have increased for the fifth year in a row. In high school, they have increased sharply as well.

In Kindergarten, 1^st grade and 2^nd grade, class sizes are now the largest in 14 years, since 1998, when class size data first was reported by the Independent Budget Office.

In 3^rd grade, class sizes are the largest in the historical record – even larger than in 1998.

These are the grades where the research is crystal clear that class sizes make a significant difference in terms of student’s success in school and later in life.

Rigorous evidence shows that children who are in smaller classes in the early grades get higher test scores, better grades, fewer disciplinary referrals, and are more likely to  go to college and own their homes more than twenty years later.

Smaller classes in all grades have been shown to strengthen the development of “non-cognitive” skills, like persistence, motivation, and self-esteem, which are also closely linked to success in school and in life

Class sizes have increased sharply since 2007, when a state law passed requiring the city to be reducing class size in all grades.

Conclusion:  the city is cheating our children out of their basic rights.

For a full data analysis, including long term trends see here or below: Class Size Report 2012   Here is a research brief on the proven benefits of class size.

Class Size Report 2012