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Hot Topic: Will Your Child's Class Size Expand this Fall?

Shelby Moore

April 26, 2011

Millions of public school students across the nation are seeing or will see their class sizes swell because of budget cuts and teacher layoffs. Doesn't this go against having an effective education system?

I teach in a Texas public school where our class size is capped at 22. If the class size goes beyond 22 we are granted a teacher aid for a few hours each day. However, next year, due to the recession we as teachers and students won't be as fortunate. We are expected to have 25+ students in our room, no matter the grade level.

Most people would agree that a smaller class size is one of the most effective solutions to closing the achievement gap and having all students be successful.

  • So what can we do about the budget crisis we are currently in as a nation? 
  • Should our children's education have to suffer? After all, these kids are our future, and if we are doing a disservice to them now can't we assume that it will continue and come back to haunt us sooner than later?

If your child's class size continues to rise there are many more problems that will arise for them as well.

  • Less one-on-one time with the teacher
  • More distractions amongst the students in class
  • More discipline problems
In addition to the problems it will cause on your student -How about the stress it will add to your child's teacher?
  • More papers to grade
  • More students to be accountable for
  • More parents to contact and conference with
  • Overall increased workload
Parents let's hear from you and what you think about increasing class size.
  • Would it bother you if your child was in a class of 28 students with a 'phenomenal' teacher or more if your child was in a class with 15 students and had a 'mediocre' teacher?
  • Would you consider pulling your child out of public school and placing him in a private school if the class size got too large?
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this month's hot topic, and check out: www.classsizematters.org for more information.
~Shelby Moore