DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Beyond Academics: Do Small Schools have Better Learning Environments?

Yulissa Jimenez

Los Angeles Leadership Academy

DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Abstract

Small schools are purported to have better academic outcomes and better learning environments

compared to a large school. Recent research has focused on academic performance, and some are

dealing with learning environments. In this paper, I will be discussing how school environments

have the well being in beyond academics in a school. The research indicates students in small

schools have better learning environments. Although, attending a small school in and of itself

doesnt necessarily guarantee a better and more supportive learning environment. Studies have

shown the differences between large and small schools. Also, how students interpersonal

relationships, social behavior and higher academic expectations in large and small schools.

Keywords: Academic Performance, Learning Environment, Differences, Behavior, Interpersonal

Relationship, Social, School, Teacher, Student

DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Small School Learning

How can a small school and large school learning impact a student's life beyond

academics? In studies small schools have a large support by recent evidence showing that

teaching in small schools lead to higher academic achievement, students in small schools learn

faster, receive higher test scores and graduate at a higher rate than comparable students in larger

schools (Schwartz, Stiefel and Wiswall, 2012; Bloom and Unterman, 2012). The expectations in

attending a small school is credited to their more personalized and safer environments. As in the

help of students feel more motivated and encouraged to succeed academically, either by adults

and their peers.

Several studies have supported this claim, that small schools have better learning

environments than a larger school(Briefs, Forum.2000). The feeling and attitude in a school

environment has to deal with the schools learning and schools climate. Also, the relationship

between the school size and a positive learning environment, however, is limited. As in a larger

school students act in different matters unlike a smaller school they are more likely to feel taken

care of by other adults and students at their school. Student's behavior can also be way

better(Briefs, Forum.2000).The research shows that small schools have better learning

environments due to interpersonal relationship, expectations and support and social behavior and

the safety in a small school.

DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Do small schools have better learning environment?

The school size determines the value of a school to students, faculty and the community.

One of the main issues in schools is the size. Small schools that include not only academic

achievement but include good school climate and learning environment. (Leithwood & Jantzi,

Darling-Hammond, 2009). Having to link school size and schools learning environment is based

on either self reports from teachers or students. A good learning environment is important in its

own ways and most importantly with the relationship of the students academics achievement.

The characteristics include but are not limited; high expectation in an environment of respect

and certitude. A positive learning in the environment is very important in an academic life. Small

schools can be associated with higher expectations and support. In small schools teachers also

report having a more positive attitude about their responsibility for students learning, having a

positive indirect effect on achievement than in large schools (Lee and Loeb, 2003). In analyzing

the research small schools impact students lives by a good learning, higher expectations, and

lastly a positive attitude.

Interpersonal Relationship
DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

An effect on attending a small school has to deal with the relationship of the students,

staffs and teachers. Like having a positive student-teacher relationship, not only that, but a caring

relationship and the co-operation between both teacher and student in a small school(Grisson A.

Jason and Loeb Susanna.2009). Its always great to have a positive relationship in a academic

learning environment. It's always good to have positive achievements. In a small school students

are nurtured better and the relationship between a teacher and a student is based on the

atmosphere in which he or she is in because that's where students are known to develop strong

feeling for their school(Nathan, Joe; Thao, Sheena.n.d). Moreover, being in a smaller school is

associated with feelings that relationships are more intense and enduring(Wynne and Walberg,

1995, p.531).

In a small school, teachers are more likely to have a positive attitude about the

responsibility for students and have an effect on their achievement in comparison to a larger

school(Pilar Marin, M.P.P. and Brett Brown, Ph.D.2008). They also provide the support to

achieve success in both academic and behavior while expecting more from the student. The

teacher also gets one on one time, which could also improve the teacher's ability to grade by

giving him/her more time. Furthermore, students relationship with other students get better

because they are use to working with one another. The ability for a teacher and a student to work

beyond the classroom, but within the school, builds up more character and confidence for a

serious relationship between a teacher and a student.

Expectations and Support

DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

The expectation of success in both academic and behavior is as well within the support

to achieve these expectations. The impact of helping students in school is to be able to succeed in

life. In going into a small school the expectation is having high standards(Grisson A. Jason and

Loeb Susanna.2009). Although education can be challenging with whatever issue, but having the

advantage of getting the extra help with a teacher, for example, some one and one help with a

specific material. Something else that is helpful is that small schools have a smaller class size

with that being said the amount of students in a class is something that can be an advantage.

The support that is given to a student in a small school can be beneficial both short and

long term because it can be used later in the future for your own personal reference. Or you can

simply put that support in other ways and make life easier for yourself instead of having to figure

it all out on your own. You already know what to do, how to do it, and how to finish it all off

without pressuring yourself into doing something you're not able to.

Social Behavior and Safety

The social behavior and feelings of safety in a small school is reported to have better

social equity and safety. Students in small schools also appear to have fewer incidents with gangs

and vandalism and are linked to lower use of tobacco and other drugs compared to students in

larger schools (Nathan and Thao,2001). Also, found that discipline is higher in a small school

than in a large school with hundreds of kids. The school size on bullying and other forms of peer

victimization is mostly a mixed. The students in a small school are likely to become bullies than

victims. The school size is associated with an increased risk of becoming a victim of bullying.
DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

A stunning difference in safety, violence, and vandalism in smaller schools are safer.

Reports on fights, weapons, and other form of violence in schools of 350 or fewer as compared

with 750 students or more. Small schools report fewer fights and no incidents of serious violence

(U.S. Department of Education, 1996-97). The safeness in a small school can be an advantage of

the fact that there are not so many problems because of the amount of students attending the

school. Also the fact that everyone knows each other but not only that also, the way they

discipline the student can be more rough(Pilar Marin, M.P.P. and Brett Brown, Ph.D.2008). The

research appears to support that smaller schools are positively related to a more nurturing and

caring learning environment then equals safety for the students onto going to school everyday.

Conclusion

Smaller schools are associate to have a higher academic expectation and support. Teachers in

small schools appear to not only provide the necessary support to achieve success in both

academic and behavioral endeavors but also expect more from their student. Most importantly

the responsibility to be able to achieve goals in learning has a positive effect than a large school.

For someone to have more supportive and motivating environment at home or in a previous

school, are more likely to go to small schools and therefore report that their school fosters better

interpersonal relationships. After some research a small school can be beneficial due to the fact

of the relationship with students and teachers, how it can be a bond that grows with one another.

Secondly the extra help/ extra support you receive from your teacher or even a fellow classmate

can give you that extra push that you might be lacking. Lastly the behavior and safety in your
DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

school's atmosphere has to deal with a lot being stated, it's about being able to feel comfortable

and safe in a learning environment, and whether you are able to learn with or without that extra

push makes of a Peculiar Lifetime while attending school. But beyond academics this

atmosphere of a learning and smart working place leads to an excellence of deliverance

perseverance, dedication, and last but not least, Craftsmanship. So you decide which school is

right for you. And what the outcomes of your decision will lead you to. Go with the small one,

trust me in the long run you'll thank me for this. And I'm glad I attended a small School. And it

taught me very well. Thanks to all who never stopped believing in me and always pushed me

forward. I'm at the end of the road with graduation right around the corner. My Boyfriend once

said, If I were to attend a public school I would have been out already, why?, because I doubt

that they would even care or look at me. So I thank those who pushed me to always do great, but

I never listened and chose the wrong road.

DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?
DO SMALL SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?