Differences between a large high school and a small high school, as perceived by students, teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors: A qualitative study
Abstract
Students, teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and graduates of a large high school and of a small high school were interviewed to ascertain the differences between the large school experience versus the small school experience. Particular attention was paid to differences in instructional practices. In the large school, instructional practices were more teacher-centered and traditional than in the small school. Students in the larger school were required to write less and were exposed to far fewer activities that required them to think critically than were students in a small school. Students in the small school were known better both as students and as people by their teachers, and received more individual attention than did students in the large school. Student participation in activities was greater in the small school than in the large school. Teachers in the large school seemed very driven to cover material, while small-school teachers were concerned with finding ways to help students to learn. The small school experience, despite the greater number of course and activity offerings in the large school, is an experience which is superior to that of a large school.
Subject Area
School administration|Secondary education|Educational sociology
Recommended Citation
Cain, Cornelius V, "Differences between a large high school and a small high school, as perceived by students, teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors: A qualitative study" (1992). Dissertations available from ProQuest. AAI9227630.
https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI9227630