The Class Size Reduction Program was introduced in NSW Government schools on a state-wide basis in 2004.
The longitudinal evaluation of the Class Size Reduction Program includes biannual student attainment testing and a survey using both questionnaire and interview each year from 2004 to 2008.
The 2004 Interim Report builds upon the Class Size Reduction Pilot Program Study report from 2003 and will be further informed by the annual Class Size Audit report which provides information on the implementation of the program across the state.
This Report presents the analysis of survey data collected in 2004.   
Questionnaires were completed by 15 principals, 39 teachers and 73 parents of children in 15 schools in the Priority Schools Funding Program (PSFP). Of these 15 schools, eight also participated in in-depth study involving interview of principals, teachers, support teachers and parents of children. The findings of the questionnaire and interviews are presented together here and provide the perspective of the principals, the teachers of the smaller classes and the parents of children in the smaller classes in terms of:

  • the overall effect of the program;
  • the impact of the program on teaching practices;
  • the impact of the program on class organisation;
  • the impact of the program on perceptions of student outcomes

The major findings of this Report are that the Class Size Reduction Program has been very successful from the perspective of principals, teachers and parents. In relation to the overall effect of the program, five areas were identified as being significantly affected by the introduction of smaller classes:

  • teacher morale;
  • improvements in learning outcomes;
  • the provision of individualised teaching;
  • classroom management and
  • the teacher-student relationships.