Small Schools/Multi Grade Classes Educationally Sound

With our small circle of readers at this point the ECF blog is "preaching to the converted." But, here are some points to make when someone challenges the ability of Eagleview to provide a quality education.

Bill and Melinda Gates, the wealthiest couple in the world, are pouring millions of dollars into transforming schools by making them smaller. Why? Because they've seen how large schools are incapable of nurturing children to reach their full potential.

Consider this:
Children in larger schools have fewer friends not more. Sounds strange, but in a school where kids are locked into a schedule where they only see the same grade/age group all day they are forced to seek friends from that class alone-even when their interests and abilities would make younger or older students more appropriate companions.

Children in small schools treat each other with more respect than children in larger schools. It's hard to say whether the atmosphere is different because the kids know each other better, or the adults know them better, but cliques that cruelly leave some out and outright bullying are much rarer in small schools.

Multi-grade classes challenge gifted children and provide extra time for those who struggle to master skills. Parents sometimes worry that their child will be "taught" by older children rather than a qualified teacher. However, students in multi grade classes spend no more time on "independent practice," what educators call assignments the teacher does not supervise directly, than students in single grade classes. They are more likely to have lessons presented at a level geared to their particular needs.

For info on how small rural schools benefit their communities check out this research from Cornell University (click on the highlighted text for the link).