Stephanie Robinson [email protected] 3/31/2014Big Expenses for Small Classes: Is It Worth It? – Literature ReviewIntroductionThere is much debate on the topic of class size in relation to student achievement. While advocates argue that smaller class sizes will allow teachers to provide more personalized attention to each student, critics believe the funding needed to hire more teachers is not worth the meager gains students get in smaller classes. Although reducing class sizes is a costly measure, the vast majority of Americans support it. Dee and West (2011) report that, according to a study by Howell, West, and Peterson, "77 percent of American adults would rather see new education dollars spent on reducing class sizes than on raising teacher salaries." (p. 23 ). Americans value small class sizes, and in an economy where every dollar counts, the class size debate takes on greater priority as opposing sides push to spend funds on different policy initiatives. The purpose of this literature review is to determine whether allocating funds to Hiring more teachers to have smaller class sizes is a valid use of school district funding. This review includes perspectives on the benefits to teaching, student behavior, and student academic outcomes. This review presents arguments in favor of small class sizes because, based on research and evidence, it is clear that small class sizes positively influence teacher practice, student behavior and motivation, and, importantly, student outcomes. students. Benefits for Teaching Small class sizes positively influence teachers' teaching. When Blatchford, Bassett, Goldstein, and Martin (2003) analyzed the effects of class size on teacher practice… halfway through the article… on the academic program. The Tennessee STAR Project was the only study to have a control group and therefore was the only truly scientific study, which allowed researchers to compare groups of students; the other studies were based on existing classes and did not offer a valid comparison. Although evidence shows that small classes are better, many public schools have average classes of at least 30 students per class. This situation doesn't work; President Obama has set a goal for the country to have the highest percentage of college graduates in the world by 2020, but the United States consistently lags behind other industrialized countries. In order to increase student achievement and help meet President Obama's 2020 goal, school districts should consider reallocating funds from other education initiatives to programs to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes..