Perception Isn’t Everything: The Reality of Class Size (2019)

This study by Mark Umbricht and Kevin Stange from the University of Michigan addresses common misconceptions about class size in higher education, using data from their institution. The research aims to provide a more accurate depiction of class size from a student experience perspective and offers recommendations for improving how class size is measured and reported.

Main Takeaways:

• Misleading Current Metrics:

  • Traditional Metrics: Standard metrics report the number of classes in various size categories without considering student enrollment, leading to a skewed perception of the student experience.
  • Student Experience Discrepancy: Students often spend more time in large classes than reported by these traditional metrics. For instance, while only 17% of classes may have more than 50 students, students might spend over 41% of their class time in such large settings.

• Proposed New Metrics:

  • Enrollment-Weighted Metrics: By weighting class sizes by the number of students enrolled, the new metrics offer a more accurate reflection of what students experience.
  • Inclusion of Subsections: Including labs and discussion sections provides a fuller picture of class sizes, accounting for different instructional components.
  • Credit-Weighted Metrics: Adjusting metrics based on the number of credits per class offers a realistic measure of students’ time spent in various class sizes.

• Impact on Student Choice and Institutional Planning:

  • Student Decision-Making: Accurate class size metrics are crucial for prospective students, helping them make informed choices about their education.
  • Resource Allocation: Understanding the true distribution of class sizes aids institutions in resource allocation, faculty deployment, and academic planning.

• Recommendations and Challenges:

  • Adopting New Metrics: Institutions should adopt these student-centric metrics to enhance transparency and provide more accurate information.
  • Implementation Challenges: Transitioning to these new metrics involves technical and logistical challenges, requiring detailed enrollment data and changes to current reporting practices.