As a teacher I have firsthand experience that smaller classes (we had specially small freshman English and math) leads to much stronger teacher connections and learning experiences. It's not universally true, probably, but I could really know each student and inspire them, do fun work because I could get the supplies and handle the load... I'm so grateful DD's charter caps at 20 for K and 22 for 1-8. It's a crazy amazing benefit.
My dad also teaches in CA and the class size growth (along w banning pets, field trips, dictating instruction etc even tho his kids score amazingly high compared to his school... Sigh) have gotten so big in primary! In secondary were up to at least 35 (if you had 34 you were grateful, and the times I had odd small classes it was amazing!) but most often 40 and easily 45 in AP.
