Reduced class size doesn’t benefit students

The first study to claim to show that reduced class size improves student performance was the STAR project in Tennessee. This was a small-scale project easily subject to bias by choice of teachers, facilities, etc., to say nothing about choice of students.

However, when California mandated class-size reduction statewide, overall student achievement actually declined. This was because in order to reduce class size, it was necessary to hire more teachers, and qualified teachers weren't available. So in order to meet the mandate, they had to hire unqualified teachers. Also, there weren't enough classrooms, so classes had to be held in cafeterias and gyms.

When the head of a teachers union says he will consider the interests of students when students start paying union dues, it's clear that teachers unions are more interested in increasing their dues paying membership than they are in student achievement.

This demonstrates the folly of legislators legislating for the good of the masses, patting themselves on the back for doing a great job and moving on to other important issues, then turning implementation of the legislation over to experts determined to protect their self-interests.

By the way, where are the results of Gov. Culver's reduced class size initiative?

Frederick Hubler

Cedar Rapids