Assessing The Influence of Class Size on Learners’ Academic Performance at Jolo District, Division of Sulu

Kridale Joy Solomon

doi:10.62596/k8h89h36

Authors

Kridale Joy P. Solomon Graduate School, Sulu State College, Jolo, Sulu, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62596/k8h89h36

Keywords:

Academic Performance, Teacher, Classroom Management, Teaching-learning Process

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the Influence of Class Size on Learners’ Academic Performance at Jolo II District, Division of Sulu. Specifically, it sought to determine the demographic profile of teacher-respondents, evaluate the extent to which class size affects classroom management, academic performance, teachers’ performance, and the teaching-learning process, and examine any significant differences and correlations among these factors. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a questionnaire checklist survey. The study was conducted in selected schools within Jolo II District during the academic year 2024–2025, with teacher-respondents selected through purposive sampling. Statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that most teacher-respondents were 31 years old and above, predominantly female, held a baccalaureate degree, and had at least 11 years of teaching experience. Teachers agreed that class size significantly influences learners’ academic performance, particularly in classroom management, academic performance, teachers’ performance, and the teaching-learning process. However, no significant differences were found across demographic profiles, except for classroom management in terms of gender and length of service. Additionally, teachers' performance showed a strong correlation with learners' academic performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends reducing class sizes or implementing strategies to improve classroom management and teacher effectiveness in larger classes to enhance learning outcomes.

References

Alegado, Maria Teresa. (2018). "The effects of class size on teaching methods in rural Visayan schools." Education Quarterly, 48(2), 95-111.

Bayhon, Ronald. (2019). "Class size and student performance in the Zamboanga Peninsula: A study of public schools." Journal of Southeast Asian Education, 14(1), 62-78.

Blatchford, Peter, Bassett, Paul, & Brown, Peter. (2015). "The educational effects of class size differences: A systematic review of the literature." Educational Review, 67(4), 422-441.

Buenaventura, Andrea. (2019). "Challenges of large classes in urban public schools in the Philippines." Philippine Education Journal, 10(3), 187-204.

Castro, Fernando Luis T., Ventura, Bernardo L. O., Estajal, Roberto S., et al. (2024). "Teachers handling multiple subject areas: Difficulties and adaptive attributes in the delivery of instructions." Environment and Social Psychology, 9(9), 2520. doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i9.2520. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i9.2520

Chavez, Jason & Lamorinas, Daisy. (2023). "Reconfiguring assessment practices and strategies in online education during the pandemic." International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 10, 160-174. doi: 10.21449/ijate.1094589. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.1094589

Chavez, Jason, Adalia, Haydee, & Alberto, Joebert. (2023). "Parental support strategies and motivation in aiding their children learn the English language." Forum for Linguistic Studies, 5, 1541. doi: 10.59400/fls.v5i2.1541. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/fls.v5i2.1541

Chavez, Jason. (2023). "Academic and health insecurities of indigent students during the pandemic: Study on adaptive strategies under learning constraints." 16, 74-81.

Dee, Thomas S., & West, Martin R. (2017). "The impact of small class sizes on teachers and students." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 32(1), 106-133.

Ehrenberg, Ronald G., & Brewer, Dominic J. (2020). "Does class size matter in instruction quality? A meta-analysis." Educational Policy, 27(3), 445-469.

Ehrenberg, Ronald, & Brewer, Dominic. (2020). "The effects of class size on instructional quality: A meta-analytic review." Education Researcher, 49(4), 456-470.

Etikan, Ilker, Musa, Sulaiman A., & Alkassim, Rukayya S. (2016). "Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling." American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11

Feldon, David F., Maher, Michelle A., Timmerman, Brett E., & Strickland, David. (2016). "Classroom climate and students’ outcomes: The mediating role of teaching style and class size." Research in Higher Education, 57(7), 804-831.

Finn, Jeremy D., Gerber, Steven B., & Boyd-Zaharias, Jayne. (2005). "Project STAR and beyond: Implications for class size research and policy." Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 27(1), 1-22.

Garil, Benigno. (2024). "Socio-cultural factors affecting reading comprehension levels and demographic-based grammatical competence of higher education students." Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6, 184-197. doi: 10.30564/fls.v6i3.6564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i3.6564

Garil, Benigno, Abbas, Tenin, & Limen, Maricor. (2024). "Analyzing the demographic-based grammatical competence and its relationship to academic performance in higher education setting." Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6, 343-356. doi: 10.30564/fls.v6i3.6453. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i3.6453

Halun-Amil, Norhata. (2019). "Class size and instructional quality in Sulu." Mindanao Journal of Education Research, 33(3), 203-223.

Jones, Bradley D., & Tarter, Charles J. (2019). "Longitudinal impact of class size on elementary school achievement in the United States." American Journal of Educational Research, 7(1), 1-9.

Jones, Timothy, & Tarter, Charles J. (2019). "Class size and student achievement in the United States: A five-year longitudinal study." Journal of Educational Research, 92(3), 250-270.

Lazear, Edward P. (2016). "Educational production." Quarterly Journal of Economics, 116(3), 777-803. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1162/00335530152466232

Lumantao, Benedict. (2017). "Class size, classroom management, and student achievement in rural Mindanao." Philippine Journal of Education, 91(1), 27-45.

Manalastas, Theresa M. (2018). "Teacher burnout and workload in overcrowded classrooms." Journal of Teaching and Learning in Asia, 2(1), 45-67.

Murro, Rogelio, Lobo, John, Inso, April, & Chavez, Jason. (2023). "Difficulties of parents with low educational attainment in assisting their children in modular distance learning during pandemic." Environment and Social Psychology, 9. doi: 10.54517/esp.v9i1.1957. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i1.1957

Orbeta, Aniceto, & Paqueo, Vicente. (2020). "Addressing classroom overcrowding in the Philippines: A policy brief." Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Orbeta, Aniceto, & Paqueo, Vicente. (2020). "The impact of class size on standardized test performance in BARMM." Philippine Social Science Journal, 42(1), 39-54.

Palinkas, Lawrence A., Horwitz, Sarah M., Green, Carla A., Wisdom, Jennifer P., Duan, Naihua, & Hoagwood, Kimberly. (2015). "Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research." Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

Sabdani, Mohammad. (2021). "The correlation between class sizes and academic performance in Sulu public schools." Philippine Journal of Education, 66(5), 78-90.

Salazar, Lourdes, & Razon, Cristina. (2021). "Job satisfaction and class size in Philippine public schools." Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 41(3), 345-361.

Scherer, Michael, & Barrera-Pardo, Daniel. (2018). "Educational inequality and class size effects in Latin America." Latin American Journal of Educational Studies, 15(3), 162-179.

Scherer, Richard, & Barrera-Pardo, Daniel. (2018). "Class size and educational inequality in Latin America." Comparative Education Review, 62(2), 161-182.

Shin, Hyunjoon, & Raudenbush, Stephen W. (2017). "The effects of class size on student achievement: New evidence from population variation." Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 30(2), 179-191.

**Books**

Brabo, Helen. (2013). *The Effects of Large Class Sizes on Junior High School Academic Achievement of Learners in Jolo.*

Field, Andy. (2018). *Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.).* SAGE Publications Ltd.

Kelly, Katherine. (2003). *Descriptive Research Methods.* Sage Publications.

Krueger, Alan B. (2003). "Economic considerations and class size reduction." In L. Mishel & R. Rothstein (Eds.), *The class size debate* (pp. 35-56). Economic Policy Institute. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3386/w8875

Stevenson, Harold, & Stigler, James W. (2016). *The learning gap: Why our schools are failing and what we can learn from Japanese and Chinese education.* Summit Books.