Through early education all the way into college, students are consistently in classrooms. Education is obtained by nearly all individuals in America, though can the population of a class obstruct one’s ability to learn?

From the very beginning stages of a child’s life, fundamental skills are taught in classrooms and the importance of education does not wither. According to the Open Data Network, in the state of Connecticut, the student teacher ratio is 13 to 1, meaning for every 13 students there is one teacher. So when it comes down to the content being taught with the average 30-60 minute class periods, students are beginning to see the disadvantage of large class populations.

According to the New York Times, the cause for these large classes are due to budget cuts, lack of teachers, and the overall number of students enrolled. Districts across America have been enlarging the populations of students per class.

“Los Angeles has increased the average size of its ninth-grade English and math classes to 34 from 20. Eleventh and twelfth grade classes in those two subjects have risen, on average, to 43 students.” New York Times writer Sam Dillion said.

These class sizes are causing a detachment between the student, teacher, and material. Not all students see a decrease in their ability to learn, or see large class populations as a negative thing. Many people see large classes as beneficial. Some students learn better with integration of student collaboration, which often takes place in larger classes. Despite this, the large class sizes can be extremely intimidating. Students may begin to stray away from being active in that particular class with the fear of being wrong, or not knowing the content.

Overall, class populations are dependent on the given individual. Though the classroom should be an environment where every student feels confident and comfortable to learn, and feel as if they are grasping the content. If the size of the class takes away from that, then it is clearly not beneficial for the school, students, and teachers.