Facing budgetary constraints, some school districts are combining classes with low class size and transferring teachers to school buildings/classrooms with high class size. Research findings on the effects of multi-grade (a.k.a., combined/split/multi-age) classrooms on student achievement are mixed. In your opinion, what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of combined classrooms, especially for English language learners (ELLs) and economically disadvantaged students?
Budget driven classroom design is rarely a good idea. The teacher would probably have multiple lesson plans and course objectives. Creative group work may be helpful. This may organically lead to peer mentoring and tutoring. The ELL students may benefit from the restructuring as they will know more than some in the lower grade, but as much as others. Of course, if the ages vary widely, you may encounter developmental issues as well. Good luck.
@Jutara Thank you for your input.
The individualized linguistic and content related needs of ELL students add extra layers to the multiple lesson planning effort. Whatever advantages these students may get from combined classes are largely overshadowed by the many disadvantages created by this classroom structure. The overwhelmed teachers cannot possibly provide the 1:1 attention, differentiation, and scaffolding that ELL students critically need to succeed.
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