Evaluation

Professor Bob Meyenn from Charles Sturt University is continuing to independently monitor and evaluate the educational benefits of the Class Size Reduction Program.

The Class Size Reduction Program Evaluation will provide important information about the effects of smaller classes on student progress in aspects of literacy, numeracy and social outcomes in NSW government schools.

It also gathers information on the experiences of teachers that will be made available to their colleagues to assist in obtaining the maximum benefit for our students of the smaller classes.

The Evaluation is a longitudinal study that tracks, through from Kindergarten to Year 3, four groups of children:

• Students in large classes in 15 PSFP schools in Kindergarten, 2003
• Students in reduced classes in the same PSFP schools in Kindergarten, 2004
• Students in large classes in 15 non PSFP schools in Kindergarten, 2004
• Students in reduced classes in the same non PSFP schools in Kindergarten, 2005

Assessments in 2004 and 2005 take place twice yearly - in March and November allowing progress in the important first year of schooling to be gauged.