Split-Level Classes may be coming to Seattle Schools
From SPS to parents:
Dear SPS Family,
Class sizes will be smaller for students in kindergarten through third grade beginning this fall, thanks to funding from the 2016 Legislature. The funding comes with strict class-size requirements for the primary grades. These requirements must be followed in order to receive the funding. Previously, schools were allowed to assign teachers as needed across grades K-5. Under the new funding model, instructional staff will be allocated across grades K-3 at specific ratios. These ratios mean small class sizes in grades K-3, but may also mean more split-grade-level classrooms. A split-grade-level classroom consists of two grade levels; for example, 10 second-graders and 10 third-graders in a single classroom of 20 total students.
Split-grade-level classrooms already exist in Seattle and other districts, but we anticipate more of them this fall. Last year, Seattle Public Schools staffed to have no more than two split-grade-level classrooms per school. This new funding means that this fall, schools may have three or four split classrooms, depending upon the enrollment at each school. Lower class-size funding can be used creatively. For example, a certificated teacher could be hired as a learning specialist and work with classroom teachers in the K-3 grades to help with student academic needs. Principals are working on how best to use the new funding according to state requirements.
Q & A
What’s the difference between a split-grade-level classroom and a multi-age classroom?
Multi-age classes are created to differentiate based on achievement levels in areas such as reading and math. Split classrooms are created due to an uneven or insufficient number of students in two separate grade levels, which are combined into one classroom.
Why might there be more split-grade-level classrooms in 2016-17?
Because the state funding requires smaller class sizes, many schools may not have sufficient enrollments to make up full classes at each grade level. For every student the district is over the ratios, the district loses money. Adherence to the strict state class-size ratios may create more split-grade-level classes.
Are split-grade-level classrooms a challenge for students and teachers?
Split-grade-level classrooms in Seattle and other districts are not unusual; schools typically have one or more split-grade-level classrooms in the building. Split-grade-level classrooms do require teachers to use their skills, training and materials to teach two grades in the same room. Learning specialists funded through this initiative may provide additional support.
Will teachers receive training to manage split-grade-level classrooms?
Yes, professional development is planned to support educators who will be teaching split-grade-level classrooms. Teachers in the district already experienced with instructing students in a split classroom will be utilized for their expertise.
How do schools decide which classes will be split-grade-level classes?
During the spring budget process, principals were given instructions on how to configure classrooms to meet the required state-determined K-3 class-size targets. Their decisions will depend in part on enrollment numbers through early fall.
Dear SPS Family,
Class sizes will be smaller for students in kindergarten through third grade beginning this fall, thanks to funding from the 2016 Legislature. The funding comes with strict class-size requirements for the primary grades. These requirements must be followed in order to receive the funding. Previously, schools were allowed to assign teachers as needed across grades K-5. Under the new funding model, instructional staff will be allocated across grades K-3 at specific ratios. These ratios mean small class sizes in grades K-3, but may also mean more split-grade-level classrooms. A split-grade-level classroom consists of two grade levels; for example, 10 second-graders and 10 third-graders in a single classroom of 20 total students.
Split-grade-level classrooms already exist in Seattle and other districts, but we anticipate more of them this fall. Last year, Seattle Public Schools staffed to have no more than two split-grade-level classrooms per school. This new funding means that this fall, schools may have three or four split classrooms, depending upon the enrollment at each school. Lower class-size funding can be used creatively. For example, a certificated teacher could be hired as a learning specialist and work with classroom teachers in the K-3 grades to help with student academic needs. Principals are working on how best to use the new funding according to state requirements.
Q & A
What’s the difference between a split-grade-level classroom and a multi-age classroom?
Multi-age classes are created to differentiate based on achievement levels in areas such as reading and math. Split classrooms are created due to an uneven or insufficient number of students in two separate grade levels, which are combined into one classroom.
Why might there be more split-grade-level classrooms in 2016-17?
Because the state funding requires smaller class sizes, many schools may not have sufficient enrollments to make up full classes at each grade level. For every student the district is over the ratios, the district loses money. Adherence to the strict state class-size ratios may create more split-grade-level classes.
Are split-grade-level classrooms a challenge for students and teachers?
Split-grade-level classrooms in Seattle and other districts are not unusual; schools typically have one or more split-grade-level classrooms in the building. Split-grade-level classrooms do require teachers to use their skills, training and materials to teach two grades in the same room. Learning specialists funded through this initiative may provide additional support.
Will teachers receive training to manage split-grade-level classrooms?
Yes, professional development is planned to support educators who will be teaching split-grade-level classrooms. Teachers in the district already experienced with instructing students in a split classroom will be utilized for their expertise.
How do schools decide which classes will be split-grade-level classes?
During the spring budget process, principals were given instructions on how to configure classrooms to meet the required state-determined K-3 class-size targets. Their decisions will depend in part on enrollment numbers through early fall.
Comments
Half-baked
Is there any reason a school whose numbers required "split" classrooms wouldn't create "multi-age" classrooms? Why not group older or more advanced 2nd graders with average 3rd graders for example? (I can see an argument against "fast" 2nd graders" with "slow 3rd graders" that's not what I am suggesting. I can also see why schools that only have one or two classes per grade level might not have any flexibility in this area.)
Because schools can't reorganize curriculum and schedules every year depending on the whims of the Legislature and have any intentionality in how they teach kids from year to year.
Half-baked
No Splitsville
I personally like mixed aged classrooms, but that's because I'm coming from Montessori and its deliberate. I like having the same teacher for a couple years it cuts down on anxiety in my kiddos.
This just seems like a mess and a way to follow the rules, but not do what's best for kids. Yet again.
Mag mom
Mag mom
-live&learn
-StepJ
We had the exact same experience in a 2/3 split. 3rd grade was taught. There was no differentiation. Next year, in 3rd grade exact same everything. I plan on making it very clear to all of my 3 kids' teachers that we will be very upset if any are put in a split.
-Been there done that
No Splits
EE
Personally I think one reasonable way to decide who goes in a split class is to have older kids from the younger grade and younger ones from the older grade, so that there is less developmental difference (similar level of wiggliness, etc.) between the oldest and youngest, which makes classroom management easier.
Helen Schinske
That would be a great idea in a district with unlimited space. Very few schools, if any, could afford to have classes that small because they quickly run out of classrooms.
The real problem here is that the district can't do easy stuff very well, so they definitely won't do this well. Split classes are more challenging for both the teachers and students. Teachers don't get the help they need as it is.
-ringo
- Dana
-beenthere
no repeats
Especially when they have the teacher for two years.
Lots of advantages but it is more challenging fir the teacher but good use of parents can make it work.
-North-end Mom
-live&learn
It would be good if the Central Office stopped relying on magical thinking.
GenEd Mom
We also had a bad split experience. I don't think it has to be that way. If the teacher wants to do it, if the curriculum can be adjusted, if the class is smaller than 1 grade, and if the kids are chosen carefully, I think it can be great. Our year it was a teacher who did not want to do it, with the younger side of the class chosen carefully to be advanced and quiet(or just randomly were that way?), but the older side fairly haphazard and disproprotionately disruptive, and the teacher had never taught kids as young as either grade(so had extra trouble with classroom management), who was given no leeway and so was literally trying to teach two science kits at once. It was the worst educational year any of my children have had. The next year a teacher who is a favorite of the administration was given a split of the same grades, half from the grade she usually teaches, and from all reports it went swimmingly. She reinterpreted the science kits, did her own civics and writing, and the kids were integrated into regular walk to math. If we'd had that experience, I bet we'd love it. That just requires so much luck, though, so it seems it goes poorly more often than does a single grade classroom. So it feels like a loss, because it is. And because enrollment changes so much every year at every school besides option schools (so do option schools not have to have these split classes?) they are just going to be pop up emergency management tools, not planned and thought out pathways, so even less likely to be successful.
-sleeper
Like most things, the principal and the teacher make all the difference in how well it's executed.
Jane
EE
-North-end Mom
Also: SPS appears to be narrowly interpreting "class size reduction." I have some doubts that it's strictly to fulfill state requirements.
-seen plenty (of splits, good and bad)