Discussion

According to research published in the journal “Developmental Psychology,” children in smaller first-grade classrooms demonstrated better literacy performance than those in larger groups. The researchers noted that class sizes are a predictor of literacy outcomes in kindergarten and first grade. Small class sizes are not a magic bullet for learning potential -- this study puzzlingly found lower levels of engagement in smaller groups -- but they do help teachers provide quality instruction and student support. Smaller classes allow educators to focus more on students in their teaching, coming to better understand and adjust their methods to diverse individual needs, according to the experts.

The passage best supports the statement that: