The number of elementary school students in classes of 30 or more has tripled in the last three years because of budget cuts and lack of teachers, according to a new report released by Council Member Brad Lander, D-Park Slope, says the New York Times’ School Book blog.
Lander’s report found that 31,079 students in first through fifth grade were now in large classes, as opposed to only 9,756 in the 2008-9 school year, says the article, also finding that fourth graders and fifth graders are the most likely to be in large classes.
School Book says that, according to Lander’s report, about 14 percent of current fourth graders are in classes of 30 or more students, compared with 5.5 percent during the 2008-9 school year. The article add that, of fifth graders, about 17 percent were in large classes, compared with 6.5 percent three years ago. The class-size limit for both grades is 32 students, which is set by the city and the teachers’ union.
Lander’s 39th Council District, which includes Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, still fares better than the rest of the city when it comes to class sizes, says the blog.
In Staten Island, 20 percent of all elementary school students were in classes of at least 30 students, in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, 19 percent were in large classes, and in Queen’s District 24, which includes Corona, Maspeth, Middle Village and other neighborhoods, 18 percent were in oversized classes, says School Book.
It's really a matter of common sense though. Imagine if you had to share your house all of a sudden with another family, and you were told that it was perfectly feasible that there was enough space because 2 of your 3 children had moved out. Now how would they divide your house, to ensure that there would be room for 2 kitchens , 4 bathrooms, and oops, they didn't keep in mind that you needed that office because you worked from home. And just before this happens, you find out that one of your children wants to move back home with her partner. Too bad, they say. This family is moving in... and so on. I guess what I mean to say is that "capacity" is a relative thing.
And, charter schools are public schools, and their students deserve a seat in a public school building. In response to your metaphor, then, if I had to share my house with people who also owned it--it wouldn't be easy, but I would figure it out.
From the NY State Education Department website: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/psc/about.html "Charter schools are publicly funded and open to all students in New York State through a non-discriminatory admissions lottery. Each charter school is governed by a not-for-profit board of trustees which may include educators, community members, and leaders from the private sector. Charters have freedom to establish their own policies, design their own educational program, and manage their human and financial resources. Charter schools are accountable, through the terms of a five-year performance contract, for high student achievement." I will be happy to engage more regarding the educational efficacy of charters, etc, but there is really no point if we aren't working from the same basic facts.
Peace, Bridget
:) First, sending you peace also. I appreciate that our discussion hasn't devolved to name-calling. To further demonstrate that we will not change one another's minds on this point, I have to respond to your latest statement that "there are legal reasons that they are not called public schools." Untrue. There are policitcal and philosophical reasons that some folks will not call charter schools, public schools. But they are public schools, and here are a bunch of links to various groups that refer to charters by their rightful designation: http://www.nyccharterschools.org/ (top right corner: "It's about great public schools.") http://www.kipp.org/?gclid=CPnxv4nBka8CFcjb4Aodqy9_-Q (middle of the page, on the left) http://www.uncommonschools.org/ (middle of the page) http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/ (the very name of this association has public in it) The refusal of charter opponents to acknowledge that these are public schools that serve public school students kills the discussion before it can even start. Take care.
War On Words: NYC Dept. Of Education Wants 50 ‘Forbidden’ Words Banned From Standardized Tests http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/26/war-on-words-nyc-dept-of-education-wants-50-forbidden-words-removed-from-standardized-tests/
The Lies of Rachel Carson by Dr. J. Gordon Edwards Gordon Edwards, professor of entomology at San Jose State University in California, has taught biology and entomology there for 43 years. He is a long-time member of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society and is a fellow of the California Academy of Sciences. http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/summ02/Carson.html