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ABSTRACT
The study looked at the class size
as it relates to academic performance of students in Ojo Local Government of
Lagos State Nigeria. The study population was total number of students in all
secondary schools in both public and private secondary schools in the LGA of
the state while a study size of 100 respondent was randomly selected from the 4
schools in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State. One validated instrument
Students’ Class Size Questionnaire (SCSQ) was used for data collection. Three
hypothesis was formulated and answered. Data were analysed using simple
percentage. The result showed that there was significant difference in the
academic achievement of students in small and large classes from private
schools. There was also significant difference between performances of students
from public large and small classes. It was recommended that policy makers and
government should ensure thatmore classrooms are built and number of students
in a class should not be more than 30. The Parent TeacherAssociation (PTA),
philanthropist and other charitable organizations are also implored to
compliment the effort ofthe government to boost the performance of students in
SSCE by building more class rooms and buildings.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Front
page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Table of Content v
Abstract vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the
Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the
Problem 4
1.3 Objectives
of the
Study 5
1.4 Research
Questions 5
1.5 Research
Hypotheses 6
1.6 Scope
of the
Study 6
1.7 Significance
of the
Study 6
1.8 Definition
of
Terms 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction 9
2.1 Historical
Information on Class
Size 11
2.2 Class
Size and Classroom
Management 14
2.2.1 Student
Misbehavior 15
2.2.2 Physical
Space 17
2.2.3 Classroom
Interactions 19
2.2.4 Non-instructional
Tasks 21
2.3 Class Size and
Classroom Instruction 23
2.3.1 Teacher and Student
Interactions 24
2.3.2 Instructional
Activities 27
2.3.4 Differentiated
Instruction 29
2.4 Class Size and
Academic
Achievement 31
2.5 Summary 32
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction 34
3.1 Research
Design 34
3.2 Population
of the
Study 34
3.3 Sample
and Sampling Procedure 34
3.4 Instrument
of Data
Collection 35
3.5 Validity
of the
Instrument 35
3.6 Reliability
of the
Instrument 35
3.7 Procedure
for Data
Collection 36
3.8 Procedure
for Data Analysis 36
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
4.0 Results
and Summary of
Findings 37
4.1 Answers
to Research Questions/Testing of Hypotheses 37
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 43
5.2 Conclusion 44
5.3 Recommendations 44
References 46
Appendixes 50
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the Study
The relationship between class size
and academic performance has been a perplexing one for educators. Studies have
found that the physical environment, ethnicity, socioeconomics, overcrowding
and teaching methods are all variables that affect student achievement (Molnar,
2000). Other factors that affect student achievement are school population and
class size (Gentry, 2000; Swift, 2000; Krueger and White Moore, 2007).
The issue of poor academic
performance of students in Nigeria has been of much concern to all and sundry.
The problem is so much that it adds to the widely acclaimed fallen standard of
education in Lagos state and Nigeria at large. In order to better understand
the skill levels of students, it might be necessary to evaluate factors
affecting their performance. These include: school structure and organization,
teachers’ quality, curriculum and teaching philosophy (Driscoll, Halcoussis and
Svomy, 2008).
Overtime, students’ academic
performance in both internal and external examinations had been used to
determine excellence in teachers and teaching (Ajao, 2001). As school grows,
they typically become more bureaucratic, resulting in more formalized human
relations and increased curricular specialization. Another stand, typically
conducted by economist directs attention to the potential for increased
efficiency and cost reductions as schools get bigger. Conclusions from these
two streams are not consistent. Although, the studies with an organizational
focus generally favour smaller schools, research with an economic focus tends
to suggest benefits from increased size.
Overpopulation classrooms have
increased the possibilities for at risk students, as well as others, to lose
interest in school and do poorly on test. There identifies for specific
problems regarding overcrowding, students not getting individual attention, low
reading scores, frustration and stress felt by the teachers and the inability
of students to concentrate or stay on task while in class. The problem
identified can be that teachers are unable to give individual attention to
students. Teachers’ aides are not always available and sometimes students have
to share textbooks. It can take the entire class time for students to find
seats, make sure everyone has a textbooks to look at and then explain the next
assignment. This leaves no time for individual attention to explain assignment
and answer questions. Thus, with teacher unable to help individual students, those
who need extra help in gaining or maintaining their reading skills get left
behind. They are unable to keep up the reading or in class discussions because
of many students in one class.
Overpopulation in schools and
classes is a serious problem in many schools systems, particularly in the inner
cities where space for new construction is limited. As a result, students find
themselves trying to learn while jammed into spaces never intended as
classrooms, such as libraries, gymnasiums, laboratories, lunch rooms and even
closets. Although, research on the relationship between overcrowding and
student leaving had been limited, there are some evidence particularly in high
poverty schools, that overcrowding can have adverse impact on learning. A study
of overpopulation in schools found that students in such schools score
significantly lower on both mathematics and reading exams then did similar
students in underutilized schools. In addition, when asked, students and
teachers in overpopulation schools agreed that overcrowding negatively affects
both classroom activities and instructional technologies (Krueger and Whiteman,
2001).
Crowded classroom conditions not
only make it difficult for students to concentrate on their lessons, but
inevitably limit the amount of times teachers can spend on innovative teaching
methods such as cooperative learning and group work or on teaching anything
beyond the barest minimum of required materials. In addition, because teachers
must constantly struggle simply to maintain order in an overpopulated
classroom, the likelihood increase that they will suffer from burn out earlier
than might otherwise be the case.
Although, there is a significantly
amount of research analyzing students’ performance (Matuga, 2009;
CerezoRUssillo and Casanova Arias, 2004), there is still a need for more
concentrate test results. It is necessary to define the effects of
environmental, psychological and sociological elements. This clarity will
better enable school to provide a quality learning institution – organized and
established public domain, with a sphere of knowledge influence and activity
(Meram-Webster Dictionary).
The idea that school population and
class size might affect students’ performance is consistence with the growing
literature on the relationship between public sector institutional arrangements
and outcome. The purpose of this study is to further examine the relationship
of class size, school population and student academic achievement.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
The performance of secondary school
students in NECO, WAEC, several scholars have proposed various factors
responsible for the poor performance of students, few research have been
dedicated to the correlation between class size, school population and academic
achievement. This study therefore looks at how class size, school population
and ever population affect students’ academic performance in secondary school.
1.3 Objective
of the Study
The general purpose of this study is
to find out the relationship between class size, school population and
students’ achievement using some selected secondary schools in Ojo Local
Government Area of Lagos State as a case study. The specific objectives are to:
(i) Examine
the relationship between class size and academic performance of students
(ii) Examine
the relationship between school population and academic performance of
students.
(iii) Discuss
the effects of overpopulation on classroom management
(iv) Analyse
the impact of overpopulation on school resources and facilities.
1.4 Research
Questions
(i) Is
there any correlation between class size and academic performance of students?
(ii) Is
there any relationship between school population and academic performance of
students?
(v) Is
there any relationship between overpopulation and classroom management?
(iii) Is
there any relationship between overpopulation and school resources/facilities?
1.5 Research
Hypotheses
Ho1: There
is no significant relationship between class size and academic performance of
students.
Ho2: There
is no significant relationship between school population and academic
performance of students.
Ho3: There
is no significant relationship between overpopulation and classroom
management.
Ho4: There
is no significant relationship between overpopulation and school
resources/facilities.
1.6 Scope
of the Study
This research work focuses on the
relationship between class sizes, school population and students’ achievement
using some selected secondary in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State as a
case study. This research work cover all secondary schools in Ojo Local
Government Area of Lagos State. However, four public secondary schools were
used as case study.
1.7 Significance
of the Study
This study is important for several
reasons. First, the findings will help teachers to identify the reason for the
academic performance of students in large classes with high population and how
they can address the problems.
Secondly, it will provide
comprehensive information for educational planners, educators and parents on
how they can assist students to cope in large classes.
Thirdly, this research work will
lead to further in-depth study on the impact of class size and school
population on the academic performance of students in Nigeria.
Lastly, it will serve as a
contribution to knowledge in the subject area. In the regard, it will be useful
for other researchers who might want to carry out research in related
areas.
1.8. Definition
of Terms
Academic Achievement: knowledge
attained or skills developed in school subject by test scores.
Secondary School/High School: is
a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of
schooling known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified
age taken place. It follows elementary or primary education, and may be
followed by university (tertiary) education.
Overpopulation: This
is when the numbers of students in a particular class exceed the standard of
student-teacher ratio of 1:40
Research Work: Investigation
or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts or
practical application of such new or revised therein or laws.
Classroom: A
room where classes are taught in a school, college or university.
TOPIC: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLASS SIZE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENT
Format: MS Word
Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email
Delivery: Email
Number of Pages: 50
Price: 3000 NGN
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