Education

A growing body of research indicates that class size in the younger grades has a direct and substantial impact on learning. Studies in several states, including Tennessee, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and California, indicate that reducing class size to 18 students or fewer in grades K-3 can significantly improve student achievement. According to the federal Department of Education, “class size reduction in the early grades is one of the most direct and effective ways to boost children’s academic achievement.” For this reason, the Department has established a national objective to "reduce class size in the early grades to a nationwide average of 18."

While the importance of class size to student achievement is widely accepted, there is little publicly available information on actual class sizes in public schools throughout the United States.

Latest News

Rep. Waxman Inquires About Omission of Evolutionary Biology from Federal Grant Program

Rep. Waxman asks for details regarding the exclusion of evolutionary biology, a core component of the biological sciences, from the eligibility rules for the Department of Education's new "National Smart Grant" program.

Pell Grant Underfunding Increases Tuition Burden in California’s 30th District

Rep. Waxman releases a report showing that chronic underfunding of the Pell Grant program is increasing the college tuition burden for California's 30th Congressional District.

Investigating Class Size

At the request of members of Congress, the Special Investigations Division of the minority staff has conducted investigations into class sizes in grades K-3 in various cities and localities across the country.

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