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Research on Small Schools

One of the strongest findings in school research is that small schools are more effective both academically and extra-curricularly than big schools. I hope that school decisions can be based on research whenever solid research is available, otherwise what message are we giving students?

RESEARCH FINDINGS ON IDEAL SCHOOL SIZES

Researcher                          Year        Best Size for High Schools:

Lee & Smith                          1997         600-900

NASSP+Carnegie                  1996         <600

Meier                                     1995         300-400

Howley                                  1994         400

Fowler                                   1992         400

Sizer                                      1992         <200

Goodlad                                 1984         800

NYC-BOE                             1983         1200

Public Ed. Assoc.                   1982         800-1200

Norway                                 1978         <450

Stanton, Legget                      1977         250

Coleman                                1974         500

Postman & Weingartner          1973         250

Heath                                    1971         <400-500

NYC-BOE                             1971         150

NYC-BOE                             1965         600

Barker & Gump                     1964         400-500

 

Sources:                                 David Kirkpatrick, "School Size," 1998, http://www.schoolreport.com/schoolreport/articles/schoolsize_9_98.htm

                                             Public Education Association, "Small Schools Operating Costs," 1992, ED375218.

                                             Mary Anne Raywid, "Current Literature on Small Schools," ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education & Small Schools, Charleston, WV, 1999, ED425049

 

Effects of Small Schools

 

Researcher                          Year   Smaller Schools Have:

Lee & Smith                          1997   More gains in math test scores (best with 600-900 students)

Lee et al.                               1995   More benefit at older ages

Mosteller                                1995   More benefit at older ages

Lee & Smith                          1994   Students learn more in math, reading, history & science

McMullan et al.                      1994   More students pass major subjects & progress toward graduation

Huang & Howley                   1993   Disadvantaged students perform better on standardized tests of basic skills

Monk & Haller                       1993   Fewer choices of courses

New Jersey                            ?        Better effect on student achievement than any other factor controllable by educators

Architectural League, NY       1992   Better learning causes lower costs to society in future

                                                       Construction savings from having more bidders, faster construction, lower overhead, more flexible scheduling, & more availability of workers

Consortium on Chicago           1991   Better effect on teachers' acceptance of reforms than any other factor studied

   School Research

Becker                                   1990   Fewer minicourses & keyboarding courses

Chubb & Moe                        1990   Higher academic performance on SATs

Haller et al.                            1990   Less comprehensive academic programs

Chicago Panel on Public          1989   2nd strongest effect on student achievement, after family income

   School Policy+Finance

Howley                                  1989   More benefit at older ages

Sorenson                                1987   Easier time monitoring student progress

                                                       Fewer students taking courses beneath their ability

Barker                                   1985   Less choice in most subjects, though more in Agriculture

Gottfredson                            1985   Better perceptions of school safety

                                                       Better perceptions of school administration

Goodlad                                 1984   More effective school functioning

Boyer                                    1983   More effective school functioning

Oxley                                     1982   Lower dropout rates

                                                       Less disruptive school environment

Garbarino                               1978   Less vandalism & violence

McPartland & Dill                  1976   Less vandalism & violence

Grabe                                    1975   More involvement in extracurricular activities

Coleman et al.                        1974   Less depersonalization

Loughrey                               1972   Higher morale among staff

Heath                                    1971   More teacher contact with students

Turner & Thrasher                 1970   More involvement in extracurricular activities

Baird                                     1969   More involvement in extracurricular activities

Wicker                                   1969   More involvement in extracurricular activities

Tamminen & Miller                 1968   Lower dropout rates

                                                       Stronger student guidance

Plath                                      1965   Fewer rule infractions

Kleinert                                  1964   More involvement in extracurricular activities

Tyson                                     1957   More teacher contact with students

Larson                                   1949   Less difficulty for students in making friends

 

Sources:                                 Diana Oxley, "Effects of School Size: A Bibliography," Bank Street College & Public Education Association (212-868-1640), 1987.

                                             Public Education Association, "Small Schools Operating Costs," 1992, ED375218. http://www.eric.ed.gov/

                                             Mary Anne Raywid, "Reaching for Equity, Synthesis of Research, Small Schools: A Reform that Works," in Educational Leadership, 55:4, 12/97 (http://shop.ascd.org/ProductDisplay.cfm?ProductID=197229).

                                             Ann Witcher & Robert Kennedy, "Big Schools, Small Schools" Phi Delta Kappa, 1996.

LINKS

The following organization has links to a lot of articles on small schools in popular & education magazines: http://www.smallschoolsworkshop.org

Listserv on small schools: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smallschools