THE EFFECTS OF CLASS SIZE ON THE READING PERFORMANCE
OF SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS ATTENDING A LARGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The purpose of the proposed research will be to examine whether a sample of sixth grade elementary school students evidence differences in reading performance as a function of differences in the size of the class where they receive instruction. This paper describes all of the methods and procedures that will be used to both collect and analyze data in the study.
Prior research conducted on the effects of class size on children's academic performance have been mixed; that is, some studies have found class size to influence performance while other studies have not observed any influence. More current research has not resolved the mixed findings which means that the existing knowledge base provides no definitive grounds for the formulation of directional hypotheses. For this reason, the hypothesis formulated for testing in the proposed study is worded as a null thesis. This null hypothesis is:
Null Hypothesis - Students' reading performance will not significantly differ depending upon whether they receive their reading lessons in a class consisting of a total of 16 students, 24 students, or 30 students.
Research Approach. The proposed study will consist of a randomized three group design that is experimental in nature. In other words, the independent variable (Class Size) will be manipulated by the investigator in order to determine its effects on students' reading performance.
Design Variables. The proposed study will consist of a three group, pretest-posttest design with two independent variables and one dependent variables. The study's first independent variable will be the Class Size variable with three levels: 16 students in the class; 24 students in the class; 30 students in the class. The second independent variable in the proposed research with be the Testing variable with two levels: Pret...