Monday, June 07, 2010

Real Life Math

Sometimes, a couple of facts and a knowledge of elementary school arithmetic is enough to separate fact from hysteria. Case in point: the class size "explosion" to be caused nationwide by teacher layoffs.

5 comments:

Math Teacher said...

yes but classes in nyc are suppose to be 34students and most are more already. classes in the big cities are already overcrowded.

maxutils said...

And, in CA many districts are dropping class size reduction. When your 2nd grade class goes from 20 to 32, that counts as an explosion.

Darren said...

Max, you know that my class sizes are capped at 36.

NEA's statement is nationwide, not in just your kid's class.

maxutils said...

I do know that . . . and I confined my statement to second grade, and gave numbers. Your overall point is well taken: NEA always overstates the effect of layoffs, districts rarely layoff the number they threaten, and 4-12 is usually barely affected/ However, this year is different in California, because many districts are making good on the threat to seriously raise class sizes K-3, We can have a separate discussion about whether or not that matters (and personally, I think it does -- I also believe that high school English classes should be capped at 24, despite the fact that I don't teach English), but while you're doing the math, I think it's reasonable to note that some classes will increase by 60%. And I'm not acytually concerned about my son . . .he'll do fine regardless of how many kids are in his class. I'm much more concerned about the younger siblings, or children, of the losers I see hanging out at the light rail station with there pants belted at mid-thigh.

maxutils said...

THEIR pants. Good thing I don't teach English.