Class sizes

I've already blogged about the effects of the current economy on schools, class sizes, etc.

Here is a recent article justifying teacher layoffs with the lack of research showing that small class sizes are better.

Interesting line from the article: "It's much better to have a large class with a good teacher than a small class with a mediocre teacher," said Eric Hanushek, education researcher at Stanford University.

I've used that line before as well. Never used it justify classes over 30 though.

Update: Yikes, more bad news on this front out of Illinois (hard to believe I once lived there.)