tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1639841899486607409..comments2024-03-27T20:01:11.889-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: More What WorksMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22181750229704297332008-08-07T18:35:00.000-07:002008-08-07T18:35:00.000-07:00Dan Dempsey made this observation on this blog in ...Dan Dempsey made this observation on this blog in Jan of this year.<BR/><I><BR/>As I have mentioned before class size reduction is not a priority in Seattle. MG-J has clearly indicated this. There is no emphasis on reducing regular class size.<BR/><BR/>For this academic year 2007-2008, the SPS are spending money on academic coaches in math and literacy for teachers ($4.2 million) and Pathways program for high school WASL failures ($3.1 million). A lot of this is I-728 money. Reduction of regular class size is only one use for which I-728 money can be used. SPS have found lots of other ways to use it rather than reducing class size.<BR/><BR/>The above mentioned $7.3 million could buy more than 100 additional regular classroom teachers, which would have an impact on regular class size and also indicate that class size is a concern.<BR/><BR/>Get ready for additional special education student mainstreaming into regular classrooms.</I>Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77340610988701066472008-08-07T10:15:00.000-07:002008-08-07T10:15:00.000-07:00First of all, let me state that I would love to se...First of all, let me state that I would love to see my daughter in a smaller class. The past few years she has been in classes of 28-30 students and that seems unwieldy, at best. I don't think anyone wants large classes. (I should note, however, that despite the large class sizes, students in her school achieve at levels higher than the city and state averages.) <BR/><BR/>Some research indicates that class size has little effect on student achievement. Other research says that smaller class sizes have positive impacts on student achievement but other conditions must be met, as well. I did a quick google search of "class size student achievement" to back up what I think to be true and came across The Center for Public Education's website. Here’s what they say:<BR/><BR/>Some researchers have not found a connection between smaller classes and higher student achievement, but most of the research shows that when class size reduction programs are well-designed and implemented in the primary grades (K-3), student achievement rises as class size drops.<BR/><BR/>They go on to say: <BR/><BR/>From this review of the research, we can scientifically document several important findings about reduced class size, which local school districts may find useful:<BR/>• Smaller classes in the early grades (K-3) can boost student academic achievement; <BR/>• A class size of no more than 18 students per teacher is required to produce the greatest benefits; <BR/>• A program spanning grades K-3 will produce more benefits than a program that reaches students in only one or two of the primary grades; <BR/>• Minority and low-income students show even greater gains when placed in small classes in the primary grades; <BR/>• The experience and preparation of teachers is a critical factor in the success or failure of class size reduction programs; <BR/>• Reducing class size will have little effect without enough classrooms and well-qualified teachers; and <BR/>• Supports, such as professional development for teachers and a rigorous curriculum, enhance the effect of reduced class size on academic achievement. <BR/><BR/>Once again, what I take away from this is that we need comprehensive school reform. We need to fully fund our K-12 system in Washington State. Without that funding we won’t be able to reduce class size in a meaningful way; maintain experienced and well-qualified teachers, especially in high-need schools; increase the number of classrooms; or implement other needed supports. <BR/><BR/>We can pick away at the many different problems that plague our school system by doing a little here and a little there, but in the end if we want a high quality education for our children, we must look at the entire system and work to change it.imbloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03021194512613202429noreply@blogger.com