Class size doesn't matter unless you're one of too many kids or the only teacher.
When people say class size doesn't matter, they are talking abou other people's children.
There are many impressive reasons to use technology in the classroom, and increasing class sizes is not one of them.
While its true that smaller class sizes alone may not be sufficient in increasing student learning, it is absolutely necessary.
And to make sure that senior administrators, school board trustees, policy makers and politicians remember this, their offices and places of work should be housed inside of schools.
"If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job."
~ Donald Quinn
It is most sad the cutting of funding in education and the notion class size doesn't matter occurs internationally. A recent study in Australia, known as the Gonski Review, looked at funding and equity in educational opportunity...
ReplyDeletehttp://foi.deewr.gov.au/node/30439/
One major change was to the funding model. Regardless of private or public education, all students have a base amount paid to the schools. Further funding would direct money based on need so as to provide greater opportunities for equity in education.
Our Federal Government stated they would be increasing funding to schools based on the recommendations. This would be completed over so many years. Teachers found the idea very appealing although they would have preferred a faster timeline.
Our state conservative government (N.S.W. in Australia) not long after announced funding cuts to education. Federally, the current government is facing an election later this year it seems likely to lose. The leader of the opposition parties (conservative) has said he supports the current federal funding model that can see large sums paid to wealthy private schools, i.e. the funding model found wanting in the Gonski Review.
Education is a political football yet there seems to be a basic lack of understanding, whether deliberate or through ignorance.
Education, in particular equitable educational opportunity, is an investment in the country's future and should not be subjected to political whim in the way it is currently.
@RossMannell
Teacher (retired), N.S.W., Australia
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