Our town's elementary school district School Board meeting is tomorrow night. The agenda includes making a decision on maximum class size for the K-6 schools in the district. Currently, they are considering a class size of 32, before splitting the class and hiring another teacher. Most of us parents, of course, would prefer smaller class sizes.
While we appreciate budgetary concerns, we don't want to compromise our child's educational opportunities, either. As, I'm sure, the school board understands and, probably, agrees. Our district currently does not provide teacher's aides, unless there is a special needs child in the classroom (no matter what the class size).
Is there any research out there that studies the optimal class size? Is there a certain class size beyond which learning is, usually, seriously impaired?
What is your personal experience with having your children in large classes versus small classes?
2007-06-06 08:59:30 · 5 answers · asked by Maureen 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
What solutions has your community come up with, to deal with this issue of class size vs. budget?
2007-06-06 09:00:02 · update #1
The voters in the state of Florida overwhelmingly passed the Class Size Amendment that caps elementary school classes at 18 students, middle school at 22 and high school at 25. The then governor Jeb Bush tried to fight it all the way arguing it would be too costly. The voters had their say and it has been put in place over the last couple of years.
2007-06-06 09:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by reh052052 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
properly i'm a grade schooler and that i'm sooo happy to offer somebody this answer!!! I actual have been in small training all yet one 12 months! I purely graduated out of 6th grade and that i surely could pass with the small sized-training! the scholars get extra one-on-one time with the instructor that may fairly help and that's lots much less confusing for the academics besides. So it fairly is a win-win undertaking. even nonetheless great training are favorite via youngsters via fact they have a extra appropriate probability of being of their acquaintances training which would be a distraction! with the point to end i could could say a good classification length is sixteen-20! i wish this helps!
2016-10-29 08:42:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you that in my area in CA, the school districts are required to maintain no more than 20 children per class. My child gets much more attention from the teacher, and much more hands on activities than I did in her grade.
I wish I could be more help.
2007-06-06 09:30:15 · answer #3 · answered by ~Biz~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3-6 grade could be managed with a size of 32. The younger grades might also work but an aid in the class would be very beneficial. Your child's education won't be compromised as long as you set high expectations and help him/her to meet them. In Oklahoma, we have retired people as "class grandparents" who give extra help and attention. Title I math and reading have also helped. http://www.mccpta.com/schoolSize.html
2007-06-06 09:08:44 · answer #4 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are fortunate in our area to have a class size of 20-22 kids. My kids, because of job, were thrown into class sizes of 30 plus. Luckily we went back home after 8 months, with me saying "never again".
2007-06-06 09:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by harley_wife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋