Bigger classes won’t work

Sun., May 22, 2011

Washington state wants to raise classroom sizes so that the state can save money. Washington state wants teachers to take 33 students in each classroom.

In elementary school, teachers only spend about 4.5 hours with the students because they have recess, lunch, PE and music class. This does not give teachers enough time to interact with all of the students.

Now in high school, if they increased the student size to 33 in each class, students wouldn’t be able to get help from their teachers. Teachers in high school only have around 55 minutes with the same group of people, and it would be impossible to instruct 33 students effectively and safely. Even though the state would save money by increasing the sizes in each classroom, is it worth it to compromise their learning and safety? I think not.

Madeline Leslie

Spokane

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