Student Class Size Reduction Problem

Assessment Question 12 - Unit II

Geoffrey J. Wynn, MBA

Columbia Southern University

Research Problem

The school being overcrowded is probably the foremost problem as to why the other stressors

exist in the first place. The idea is how to reduce class size in an effort to alleviate any discrepancies

in the learning process all the while creating a more one-to-one tutoring environment. Though the

classrooms have been expanded into portables the learning environment is still being affected through

low test scores. The staff is overwhelmed as the student population is more than the teachers can

facilitate even with doing a lot of work at home. This belies another point that needs to be addressed

are the teachers using their time effectively in regards to their student-to-teacher ratio? The teachers

being underpaid may be more of an opinion but if it is affecting morale, it needs to be addressed.

The most critical factor next to the students themselves are their parents' concerns, and rightfully so.

The parents are not being kept apprised of the problem and solution to a certain extent, not necessarily

the inner workings of the administrative approach but the systematic approach to learning.

Research Goal

In review of the classroom size the school board and administrators need to formulate an idea

of how to make them smaller and more conducive to learning. The portables are a great idea for the

population overflow but we need to understand why they are not working when it was their

intention to do so initially. The staff is obviously overworked and we need to review classroom

activity with each teacher to critique the learning process. Additionally, the administrators need to

research the teachers' work outside of classroom hours to determine if their time is being used in a

causative manner. One discovery is that the parents being concerned is positive so we need to find

a manner to use their involvement to best serve their children and the school as a whole.

Research Plan

The first step in the research process is to tackle the main problem, overcrowded classrooms.

As I am sure this problem is not unusual to our school we will take a comprehensive outlook on how

other school systems/districts confronted this problem as the growing student population is evident

everywhere. Secondly, we need to research on how we can expand on our current facilities and all

realizing any economic shortfalls that may arise. The previous will assist us in transitioning into

giving us an idea of what the teachers salaries should be, if underpaid on an average scale, in

conjunction with relieving them of extra duties. The learning process is significant and needs to be

studied on a local, state, and possibly a national level so that we can be at least up to standard in

regards to teaching our students. Lastly, the board and administrators will research on how to more

positively communicate with parents through other methods.

Research Subproblems

The first idea to look into as far as cause and effect is the school overcrowded compared to

schools in an adjacent town or city. Furthermore, the portables being ineffective may be because the

school has an inadequate amount of them. The teachers pay could be from a limited union contract

which also affects how many more teachers may be budgeted for certain schools. Is the union or state

department of education the purveyor of salaries and teacher allotment for each school? The

collective bargaining agreement between the school and the state government needs to be explored

as to what is being adhered to, or not quite frankly. The demographics of the students needs to be

addressed as some parents' involvement may be deterred because of social class and

socioeconomic conditions.

Research Hypothesis

In all honesty the most warranted complaint could be the lack of education the student is

receiving