The impact of reducing student population on selected student and faculty variables at two middle schools in College Station, Texas : a case study /
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of reducing the student and faculty population of a large junior high school in College Station, Texas (1100 students) that was split into two smaller middle schools. Data analyzed in the study were acquired through interviews and questionnaires...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2001.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=726082691&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of reducing the student and faculty population of a large junior high school in College Station, Texas (1100 students) that was split into two smaller middle schools. Data analyzed in the study were acquired through interviews and questionnaires of 40 faculty members who were employed at College Station Junior High School at least two years before it was divided into two new smaller schools. The respondents were given the questionnaires and interviewed after working in the two new schools for approximately eight months. Other data gathered included student attendance rates, standardized test scores, and discipline records. An extensive literature review regarding the effects of small schools indicated that there were many advantages to reducing school populations. Some of these advan-tages included improved student attendance, improved academic achievement, parti-cularly for minority and economically disadvantaged students, improved student behavior, increased participation in extracurricular activities, and an enhanced sense of "community" among students in smaller schools. Research findings of this study include: 1. Academic achievement of all students increased in the smaller schools, with African-American and economically students making the largest gains. 2. Attendance of all student groups increased. 3. The climate of both new schools was greatly improved, which had a direct correlation with improved student discipline and faculty morale. 4. Student involvement in extracurricular activities increased. Implications from this research include: 1. Large schools hinder students' academic achievement and place unnecessary burdens on teachers. 2. Dividing College Station Junior High School into two smaller middle schools had tremendous positive effects on students and faculty members. 3. Overcrowded schools make it difficult, if not impossible, for students to learn and teachers to teach. The most negative effect of overcrowding is the high level of stress it fosters, which permeates into every facet of a school. 4. Large schools that are struggling with poor academic achievement, low atten-dance, chronic discipline problems, and an unhealthy climate should consider restructuring their school by reducing their school population. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Educational Administration". |
| Physical Description: | xi, 140 leaves ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-109). |