Editorial: Increased class sizes were never a good idea

Raising the pupil-teacher ratio does not support a close engagement between teacher and learner.

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7th June, 2012

Education

Size does matter – in many parts of life, including classrooms. That is the message that has come through strongly from teachers and parents since the Government’s surprise announcement in the Budget that a new formula for class sizes raising the pupil-teacher ratio would be used to help fund measures aimed at improving teacher performance. The public response has been unequivocal. Yes to improved teacher performance; no to increased class sizes as a way of paying for it. It is true that robust research shows that class size is not a determinant of results. But even though many parents ...

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Editorial: Increased class sizes were never a good idea

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