Don’t Rush to Cut Size of Classes

As a longtime educator, it is with mixed feelings that I have read the articles concerning lowering class size in the primary grades to 20 students. Such a move is definitely a long time coming, as California’s pupil-teacher ratio is among the highest. On the surface the prospect of smaller classes seems ideal.

However, missing from these articles, or at least well hidden, are a few facts which give little cause for celebration. First, many of these classes being formed will be held under very adverse conditions. In order to provide adequate space, classes will be held in small, makeshift places, often with inexperienced teachers. There are plans to have 40 students and two teachers in a space designed for 30 students and one teacher. Even worse, there are plans to have 60 students and three teachers in one room.

Second, there appears to be no guarantee that there will be funding to continue this class size in future years. Other problems include dropping valuable programs to accommodate more classrooms. In terms of a quality education, I consider this to be a trade-off at best.

All in all, it appears to me to be a matter of politics. It sounds wonderful for officials to make announcements of lowering class size. Who wouldn’t want that? But attempting to implement such a program without adequate time to plan or resources to make sure that it is done properly is not fair to the students or to the staff that has to implement it. Particularly when there will be high expectations for immediate increase in test scores.

I do hope that our leaders as well as the public recognize all aspects of this big step and continue to work to make provisions for its continuation and success.

CAROL L. KIRKBRIDE

Laguna Beach