Changing the World Through Smaller Class Sizes by Jack

Changing the World Through Smaller Class Sizes by Jack - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

Nelson Mandela once said that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. These words could not ring more true today. A quality education can be used as a tool to lift people out of poverty, give opportunities for an exchange of new ideas, and develop greater acceptance and tolerance of people. The structure and funding for education has often been a complex, multi-faceted system of federal, state, and private funds. This has often discouraged many from a truly systematic transformation of education as it is often considered too difficult or expensive of a task. However, I argue that despite this being a hard task it is a necessary one that would make a positive difference in the lives of many. One positive change that could improve student success nationwide is funding smaller class sizes. To improve the quality of education, I am hoping to see in the next ten years key investments in smaller class sizes, which will make a real difference in improving student achievement.
It is crucially necessary to support smaller class sizes in order to see a positive change in student outcomes. Consistent research has demonstrated that smaller class sizes noticeably improve student outcomes. This is due to more opportunity for 1-1 teacher instructional support for each student. A class with 15 or 20 students provides a higher quality of learning than a class of 35 or 40. Additionally, smaller class sizes have noticeable improvements for social interactions. W. Steven Barnett, who serves as a Board of Governor’s Scholar and founder of the National Institute of Early Education Research at Rutger’s University said, “Teaching young children requires immense energy and relentless attention. When there are fewer children in the room, the teacher has more time to devote to each child, and managing the group requires less teacher time. As a result, teachers have opportunities to have longer conversations with each child” (“Why Does Class Size Matter?”). Barnett’s quote demonstrates the key benefits smaller class sizes have, especially on young learners. By giving teachers more time with each student and less time managing the entire class, students can receive more 1-1 instruction and assistance. I found this to be true myself when I struggled with math. During high school, my math class had 37 students enrolled including myself. While our teacher did her best to try to give each of us help, there just was not enough time to assist each student with the complex algebra problems each of us were stuck with. While I still passed the course, it was mainly due to receiving extra 1-1 tutoring outside of class due to the teacher not having enough time to sufficiently tutor me in class. This experience taught me the powerful nature that 1-1 tutoring or being taught in a small group makes. The ability to ask questions, engage with a teacher, and pose solutions is much more effectively done in a more intimate setting. By funding smaller class sizes, policymakers could give students better opportunities to learn and achieve in their studies.
Smaller class sizes are a key way to make a difference in growing student outcomes. While one solution may not solve the complex issues of public education, we have a solemn responsibility to do our best to make positive changes that help students learn more effectively. It takes all of us to identify the problems and issues affecting our communities and through education we can engage in an honest and meaningful dialogue on the best ways to solve them. Just as Nelson Mandela reflected on, education can be used to change the world. Mandela’s words are a call to action for us to improve the quality of education and use it to help others. By investing in smaller class sizes, policymakers and educators can make a tangible difference in student success and achievement.

Works Cited
“Why Does Class Size Matter?” CEELO, ceelo.org/toolkit/cpqr/class-size/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.