Although some cities, including Chicago, have found a way around the potential increased class sizes due to smaller teaching staffs, the problem is affecting enough public schools across the nation to have serious potential harm for our kids’ education.
In lower grades and in situations where children need additional help, Keeping the teacher to student ratio down is crucial to increasing kids’ ability to grasp the lessons being taught. With the teaching layoffs for the upcoming school year leaving many schools understaffed, many kids across the country will face overcrowded classrooms in the next year. Teachers, administrators and parents are fighting to reverse these effects.
Kids with behavioral or learning issues like ADD or dyslexia struggle enough in a well-proportioned classroom. Overcrowding makes it more difficult for a teacher to get to know each student and to adapt to differing learning styles. Students may feel less connected to school. What are the long term effects of small classes on the achievement gap? Read the 2009 study here.
Write your local school board or legislators to find out the class-size situation in your local schools, and then offer your services as a volunteer classroom aid to help our overburdened teachers teach our kids to the best of their ability.
Posted By: Paul Adams
Wednesday, July 21st 2010 at 11:34AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
