President Obama correctly noted a rhetorical difference between himself and his challenger. The president has publicly supported the concept of reducing the size of classes in the nation’s public schools. And he pointed out that Romney has not embraced the concept of small classes.
“Teachers will tell you it does make a difference,” Obama said.
The president has correctly characterized the former governor’s position, and Romney, to be sure, has not run from this view. Romney has noted that he supports the idea of such decisions being made at the state level, if at all. There’s also some research to support his reluctance to fund smaller classes at the federal level.
Some researchers have concluded, in fact, that smaller class sizes do too little to enhance student achievement considering the cost. They note, in part, that students may benefit more from having a master teacher reach more students in a larger class than hiring an additional, less-effective teacher.