학급규모는 교육의 질을 나타내는 중요한 지표이다. 본 연구에서는 학급규모에 관한 국내외 선행연구들을 분석하여 적정학급 규모의 개념을 정리하고, 유치원의 적정학급 규모에 주는 시사점을 찾고자 하였다. 또한, 우리나라 유치원의 학급규모 현황, 정책, 법규에 대한 고찰을 통해 유아교육의 현실을 진단해 보고, 이를 통해 연구와 정책의 방향을 제시하고자 하였다. 적정학급 규모는 교육효과를 극대화시킬 수 있고, 교사의 업무수행에 적절하며, 재정의 운영 면에서도 효율적인 학급규모를 의미하며, 이는 학생의 연령, 교육목적, 사회문화적 가치에 따라 다르게 산출될 수 있다. 우리나라의 학급규모는 점차 감소하고 있는 추세이나 선진국들과 비교해 보았을 때는 아직 그 여건이 더 개선될 필요가 있다. 이러한 분석에 근거하여 본 연구에서는 유아교육단계의 학급규모 적정화를 위한 정책적 노력과 법규 마련이 필요함을 제언하였다.

Class size is one of the most important indicators of quality education. Currently, class size reduction is of great interest in many countries as an effort to provide quality education for young children. This paper reviews the literature on class size in early childhood education and explores what “proper” class size is for young children. “Proper” class size is the one that can maximize the effects of education, of teachers’ jobs, and of the expenditures. Therefore, proper class size varies according to students’ age, the purpose of education, and the sociocultural values placed on education. The analysis shows that smaller classes have a positive effect on academic achievement. Moreover, the younger the students, the greater and longer lasting is the positive effect of smaller classes on academic achievement. This study also examines the current state of Korean kindergarten in terms of class size, related policy and laws. Based on the analysis, the study notes the need for investment and policy initiatives for kindergarten class size reduction.

Class size is one of the most important indicators of quality education. Currently, class size reduction is of great interest in many countries as an effort to provide quality education for young children. This paper reviews the literature on class size in early childhood education and explores what “proper” class size is for young children. “Proper” class size is the one that can maximize the effects of education, of teachers’ jobs, and of the expenditures. Therefore, proper class size varies according to students’ age, the purpose of education, and the sociocultural values placed on education. The analysis shows that smaller classes have a positive effect on academic achievement. Moreover, the younger the students, the greater and longer lasting is the positive effect of smaller classes on academic achievement. This study also examines the current state of Korean kindergarten in terms of class size, related policy and laws. Based on the analysis, the study notes the need for investment and policy initiatives for kindergarten class size reduction.

quality indicators of education, class size, teacher-child ratio