PUBLICATION:    The Fredericton Daily Gleaner  
DATE:   2005.08.25     
SECTION:   News   
PAGE:   A6     
COLUMN:   K-12 Education 
BYLINE: JOEL O'KANE  The Daily Gleaner  

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Class-size study questioned

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A new study suggests smaller classrooms don't always mean better learning experiences for students.

The study from the C.D. Howe Institute, an economic and social policy think-tank, also suggests hiring more teachers to fill the demand for smaller classes could hinder students by introducing less-qualified teachers into the workforce.

Policy analyst Yvon Guillemette authored the study, called School Class Size: Smaller Isn't Better. He concluded there's no empirical evidence to support smaller class sizes lead to better learning experiences.

"Recent standardized test scores from Canadian pupils aged 13 to 16 years old show no evidence that smaller classes are better, either for achievement or classroom atmosphere," he wrote.

Guillemette theorizes the money would be better spent on professional development for teachers, which he argues has been shown to improve student performance.

He based his conclusions on standardized test scores related to class sizes. But not everyone's convinced the report is sound.

Canadian Teachers Federation president Winston Carter said more studies will come along to refute the C.D. Howe.

"We have to ask ourselves what the methodology used to obtain the data was, what analysis took place and for what purpose are all important questions," Carter said.

Citing information and polling the federation has done, Carter said parents and teachers support smaller class sizes because it gives more opportunity for personal instruction.

He said such advantages can't be measured by standardized testing. If smaller classrooms weren't better, he wonders why enrolment is climbing at private schools.

Carter agrees with the Study, however, when it comes to the importance of professional development.

He said governments must invest in both smaller classrooms and professional development to get the best educational experience.

He also argues such a move would erase any fears about hiring less-qualified teachers.

"People running governments have to realize teaching is an art and you have to keep honing your skills to keep you on the top of your game all the time," Carter said.

Carter said many provincial governments have been heeding the call for smaller classes.

Officials from the New Brunswick Teachers Federation couldn't be reached for comment.