At Issue
Small schools: Upside and downside
Hillman students and staff are proud of their school
For teachers, there are advantages and disadvantages to small school size.
Advantages include closer relationships to students, better discipline, and easier innovation and collaboration. Disadvantages may include heavy workloads, less course variety and higher costs.
Most of the reported evidence regarding teachers is anecdotal. Using case studies of schools in Kansas and California, NEA researchers summarized the “upsides” and “downsides” of small schools.
Upside:
• Closer relationships with students motivate students to learn and improve teaching because teachers understand what makes each student tick.
• Better discipline and fewer classroom disruptions. Tardiness and cutting class can be reduced. Strong teacher teams are better able to monitor students’ performance and behavior.
• Innovation and interdisciplinary teaching are easier.
• Greater opportunity to connect with parents, who may push kids to work harder.
Downside:
• Teachers wear many hats, carrying out functions beyond teaching. Many feel overloaded.
• Less variety of courses. Advanced placement classes, electives and extras such as sports teams may fall by the wayside.
• Self-segregation. When students choose their small schools, they may sort themselves out by ethnic group, social class, motivation and academic ability.
• Higher cost. Economies of scale of big schools are lost