The Effect of Class Size on Student Performance

Abstract

Does a correlation exist between class size and student performance at the law school level? If so, is it a positive or negative one? The author compared class size with grades received in two first-year courses and one third-year course over a five-year period (a total of 24 classes). The results support the conclusion that a correlation does exist, and that student grades decline as class size increases. Particularly in first-year courses, larger classes seem to adversely affect overall class performance and contribute to a higher rate of student failure.

Keywords: law school, teaching, class size