The Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Class Size on Achievement: A Secondary Analysis

Abstract

One of the first examples of the use of Gene Glass' meta-analysis was the Glass and Smith studies of the effect of class size on achievement In school. It was concluded that "a clear and strong relationship between class size and achievement has emerged" (Glass & Smith, 1979). This paper presents the reanalysis of the Glass and Smith data, removing small classes of five or less, which are virtually tutorial sessions. The results show a greatly reduced effect on achievement for small classes.

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-Western Educational Research Association in Chicago, Sept. 27-29, 1984.